Bogus studies cited against ethanol

To the editor:

What a disappointment it is to see Russ Kullberg parroting bogus studies as if they were the gospel truth.

There are some people in the U.S. Department of Agriculture who aren't afraid to speak up. According to the USDA, a gallon of ethanol contains at least 67 percent more energy than it takes to produce. Since 1995, there have been 11 other major studies conducted on the energy balance of ethanol. Only three -- all authored by David Pimental, an insect specialist -- found the fuel to have a negative energy balance.

Mr. Kullberg omitted the fact that the ethanol incentive is nearly 10 times less than petroleum industry subsidies to protect, explore and transport oil from afar. Oil companies receive depletion allowances, foreign income tax credits and other tax incentives. Let's not forget military spending to protect Persian Gulf oil fields.

Ethanol extends our current fuel supply, reduces America's dependence on foreign oil, boosts rural economies and provides savings to the consumer. In fact, the Consumer Federation of America recently stated drivers could be paying as much as 8 cents per gallon less if oil companies would blend more ethanol.

Ethanol is a major step in the right direction. The only people against this homegrown fuel are the oil companies, a few misguided environmentalists and the misinformed.

MIKE GESKE, Vice president, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Matthews, Mo.