1. a) What are biofuels? (see "Resources" below)
b) Define mandate as used in the article.

2. Why has President Obama promoted government-mandated use of ethanol in gasoline as one of his major energy policies?

3. How does the ethanol mandate harm the environment?

4. How does the ethanol mandate harm Americans economically (this was just briefly addressed in this Associated Press report). See "Background" also.

5. How has the Obama administration responded to the many scientists who originally supported the mandated use of corn-based ethanol in gasoline, but now reject it as bad environmental policy?

6. From paragraph #18-19: why do you think the Obama administration ordered Mr. Davenport to stop talking to the AP?

7. Read Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's comments from para. 20-21 and 24-26. What do you think of the Secretary's remarks? Does he make a good case for government mandated ethanol in gasoline? Explain your answer.