Ethanol boom creates dilemma for farmers and small towns

Ethanol’s popularity as reached an all-time high. With 114 plants nationwide and 80 more on the way, the country’s ethanol output is expected to double by 2009.

But pockets of opposition have turned up because of concerns over pollution and the risk of overextending water supplies. Corn _ which is what most U-S ethanol is made from _ requires more water to grow than many crops.

The agriculture industry already expects a massive increase in corn acres nationwide. U-S Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns is weighing the possibility of easing penalties for farmers eager to plant corn on land that had been set aside for conservation.
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