Secrets of the City

The Strib looks at how ethanol producers in Minnesota are looking for new sources of fuel for their refineries, including corn cobs. More efficient ethanol production has not silenced critics of corn squeeze, including some who question the DNR’s use of the fuel. Those of us still burning gasoline are warned to keep a sharp eye on the pump.

The West Central Tribune talks about a new, Minnesota-grown, organic, kosher vodka. It’s called Prairie, with the tag “Let the Prairie In,” and is being billed as high-end. Also, the town of Benson is cited as one of the world’s alternative energy capitols. Anybody remember which ruralplex that’s a part of?

The American Coalition for Ethanol is holding its annual conference and trade show in Saint Paul this week. Today’s Pioneer Press offers a look at the rapid growth in the industry, while the Strib takes another look at the “food vs. fuel” debate we have discussed before in this forum. The Fargo Forum’s Don Davis offers this reality check on cellulosic ethanol, and the event is being covered by everyone from a Japanese film crew (who I saw on the exhibit floor) to ag bloggers. At our “Path to Cleaner Air” exhibit at the upcoing State Fair, we will demonstrate how Minnesota has become the nation’s leader in biofuel use, and its impact on air quality. If you come to the Fair, stop by and say hello, we’re right under the giant wind turbine blade at the Eco Experience building.

As all of us who drive gas-burners to work know by now, the cost of gasoline in the Twin Cities has shot up, and is likely to go even higher, according to some experts. We have talked about this subject before, but it is good to hear what MNspeakers think a good solution might be. Smaller cars? More rail? Homebrew?

What do you think, folks? Is there a way to beat the pain at the pump, or are we just out of luck?

Although the effectiveness is nonexistent, and numerous people publish that it is bunk with sites dedicated to tell you it’s stupid, a gas station owner in Ramsey, MN decides to participate in the gas boycott by refusing to sell gas today. Anyone else here care to dispute the facts? (via: Mediation)

Gas prices are coming down…just in time for Labor Day. Or just in time for the elections. Your choice.

Minnesota Trucker wins big bucks in Scratch-Off. Thanks KFC. Pamela Anderson has stroke.

After all the lottery fever in the past, no one ever talks about what they’d do if the won $30,000. Almost seems a little anti-climactic.

So Bush wants to do something about these crazy gas prices. Ethanol, however, doesn’t seem to be part of the plan. Good news at the tanks? Maybe for a minute. Bad news for MN? Maybe for awhile.

David Erickson at Twin Cities Blog says that the pump at his neighborhood Super America in St. Paul stopped pumping gas before his tank was full. Then he spoke to someone else who had the exact same experience at a Robbinsdale Super America. Could this be the first sign of the return of the gas rationing ’70s? Has anyone else experienced this around town?

That’s apparently all we are to the Strib. In a piece about local reax to rising gas prices, our pal Alex Stenback of Behind The Mortgage is quoted: “Running a car can be expensive, but the whole debate’s gotten a little out of whack.” The entire next four paragraphs are paraphrased from a post from last week on this site. That’s nice, but how are we credited? Not by name and as “an Internet local issues forum.”