The New York Times reports that the federal government is considering allowing farmers to plant corn on lands that have been set aside for conservation purposes under various government programs. The immediate impetus for the potential policy change is the midwestern floods, but the increase in food prices brought about by Washington's long love affair with ethanol looms large in the background. Were the federal government not requiring the use of ethanol as a motor fuel, the floods would not have had as large an impact on food prices. This is yet more evidence that there is nothing "pro-environment" about corn-based ethanol.