Our neighbors in Imperial County have a long history of successful agriculture; thanks to abundant Colorado River water and a climate that "only plants love." Now the rush is on to grow biofuels. Numerous companies are planning on biofuels production in Imperial County: California Ethanol & Power and Batley Farms with sugarcane (Brawley area); Cilion with corn (55 million gallons Brawley area); Imperial Bioresources with cane, corn, and sugar beets (58 million gallons, Brawley area); Imperial Valley Biodiesel with vegetable oil and tallow (three million gallons, El Centro area); Pacific Ethanol with corn (50 million gallons, Calipatria); USFarms Inc. with (corn, 50 million gallons, Brawley area). FYI, Sugarcane especially needs large quantities of water.
However, the ramping up of biofuels bumps up against the water supply. The Imperial Irrigation District will be cutting back the water for agriculture in Imperial Valley due to an agreement to transfer water to San Diego County and the Coachella Valley. In other words, the demand of urban areas for water will conflict with production of biofuels: Water vs. Fuel.
