And just a little “beating-a-dead-horse” today. It seems the U.S. ethanol mandate is coming under increasing attack from both the left and the right side of the political spectrum. Many environmentalists want it gone. The New York Times recently opined on this angle. Libertarian and some conservative writers are now in “I told you so” heaven as pretty much every un-intended negative consequence from the mandate has come true. With all the hub-ub in the news recently, you would think the mandate would be rolled back soon, at least somewhat, but if you look through the years since mandate was instituted, it has come under withering attack many times and yet remained in force. How long do you think it will last? Is there some trigger that could bring a sudden end? Perhaps unrest and famine in various parts of the world – due to the high food costs? What do you think?

Also thanks to Jeff Boyne from the NWS in La Crosse for the comment yesterday about the likelihood of cool August weather during a developing El Nino. If the cool weather continues for much of the rest of this month, we should not be surprised.

Have a good Tuesday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Alternative Energy