As an ex Iowan I can say this column holds water.     Iowa's first in the nation primary has brought them lot's of goodies and they will defend that position despite it's very basic unfairness to the rest of the nation.

But lot's of Iowans do not support ethanol.    The state has big problems with chemical runoff as well as depletion of soil.    Farmers have been taking out wind rows and stream protection, because the carrot offered by the state for preservation can't match the benefit in inflated corn prices and property values that go with it.  Like every state, the political body doesn't always recognize the will of the majority, but the farm lobby is strong.

My son in law has been part of team engineering the use of corn stalk and leaves, not the corn itself.    It's had a multitude of problems in the process, and at this  time of cheap oil is not profitable.