How Make Ethanol At Home

Energy: Despite huge subsidies and tax breaks, the only thing ethanol seems to be accomplishing is eating up the corn supply. Consider that one tankful of ethanol could feed one person for a year.

There are 6.5 million flex-fuel vehicles in use nationwide, less than 2.5% of all vehicles.

Energy independence is a major goal for Democratic congressional challenger Joe Donnelly, and improving the economy of the Midwest is another.

The Granger Democrat believes one way to reach both goals is to boost U.S. ethanol production.

Currently, Donnelly said, too much money goes to buying foreign crude oil and foreign energy sources, and could be replaced by increased ethanol production.

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SOUTH BEND -- U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola says he has a four-point plan for reducing energy costs that starts with finding a way to lessen its reliance on foreign oil and includes increased domestic exploration, more conservation and making sure that price gouging isn't tolerated.

Energy costs become a "personal experience" when we pay $3 a gallon at the pump, Chocola said, but the whole cost of energy includes the fuel we buy to heat our homes and even buying things made out of plastic.

To start with, Chocola said, "we need to have alternative sources of energy like renewable fuels, which is ethanol, biodiesel and also alternative fuels, which would be things like wind, solar and battery."

"We also need to increase domestic production of traditional fuels, like oil and gas," he said.