California stops funding of corn-derived ethanol

Earlier this week, California lawmakers eliminated all future state funding for the production of ethanol derived from corn after July 2013. Currently, reports the Western Farm Press, "approximately $6 million is provided to a very small group of corn ethanol producers." The new law "would redirect that money away from corn ethanol and towards other forms of renewable energy, including ethanol not derived from corn." The bill had the support of agricultural, environmental and union coalitions that included milk producers, egg farmers, dairies, the state poultry federation, cheese manufacturers, large food companies like Land o' Lakes, the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the United Food and Commercial Workers. (Read more)