While I understand your point, the article mentions soybean, corn, and hay as the culprit crops. Beyond that, don’t you think your parent comment is a little misguided? How is corn ethanol what environmentalists tout as “renewable energy”?
Corn ethanol is widely considered a 'renewable fuel' by those invested in the oil industry, since it allows them to keep more of their accumulated capital.
It's much less common amongst people who are attempting to improve the outcome of climate change, the people you seem to be tarring with this brush.
California policy makers' (ardent environmentalists) "Low Carbon Fuel Standard" require 10% corn-derived ethanol in gasoline sold in the state. Are they not environmentalisting hard enough?
No. 10%, first, is short of 100%. It's short of the 15% required in Iowa, not known for its environmental policy. It's a subsidy to corn producers that doesn't significantly affect oil producers. An actual carbon reduction method would be phasing out oil entirely.