Jan 21, 2009 -
Boondoggle
Look up "boondoggle" in the dictionary and you'll find an assortment of definitions.
Useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly; an effort that brings no compensating gain, a waste; mindless dissipation of natural resources.
U.S. ethanol maker VeraSun Energy Corp, which filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said on Tuesday that 12 of its 16 ethanol plants are in "hot idle," or ready to operate, but not currently making the alternative motor fuel.
Most definitely a boondoggle.
Read the entire article at Reuters.com