Why don't I hear about sugar beets as an ethanol source?

Question

In the search for best ethanol source, wouldn't sugar beets combine some of the advantage of sugarcane (i.e. lots of sugar per acre) with some of the advantages of corn (wider growing area)?

Answer 1

Because the agribusiness corporations are invested in energy-inefficient corn.

Once again, it's politics, not science or economics.

Answer 2

Good question we should here more about sugar beets as well as many many other crops that could be used in addition to corn in the US.

Lots of starch alternatives too and some are much more resilient to pest and disease problems.

You should get a copy of 'Alcohol Can Be A Gas' by David Blume