Joe- the point is that they converted. They had the foresight to do so and now they are reaping the benefits, while we pay through the nose to states that support terrorism. Yes they utilized cane to do it, so what, we can grow cane, we can grow other various grains and grasses that can be converted too. The problem now is, instead of having an ongoing process for the past several years that would have allowed raw materials and the infrastructure to be built up wisely, we are now in a rush mode to make it happen quickly and corn is the only vast commodity available to do it.

"...how can you explain Brazil, they have totally switched and have very cheap energy without depending on any outside source?"

Easily: sugar cane grows there. Look it up to find out the relative energy cost-to-produce and yield of different biofuels. Sugar cane is viable; corn is not.

The problem, as I see it, is that we are 20-30 years too late converting to ethanol. We should have started back in the dark, dismal gas embargo days followed by the Jimmy Carter years, when fuel was through the roof and gas lines formed. That was when I first heard of ethanol and it seemed like a great idea, at that time corn, wheat, and cane were relatively cheap with abundant quantities available. Had we started converting then, we would by now, have supplies and the infrastructure necessary to sustain energy independence. Farmers would have gradually switched some of there crops to ethanol producing ones, hence, to a certain degree, they would have "subsidized" themselves along the way. For those who think it can't or shouldn't be done might be right in today's world, but how can you explain Brazil, they have totally switched and have very cheap energy without depending on any outside source?

Well let us all boo hoo about this plant being built. I talked to the guy that is going to be in charge of that job and I will be there in Feb. to help build it. I can't wait.

Ethanol production keeps getting refined as more research is done. Gulf Ethanol Inc. and other companies are fast approaching production of ethanol from the corn stalk and not the corn. Corn stalks are just left in the fields (I know there is environmental value in doing so too). This technology also can use dried grass, possibly leaves, etc.

LOL. I typed it as I speak it. ANWR, that is. http://www.anwr.org

"The only proviso is I want my fuel to come from America..."

Then support drilling in ANWAR. It's insane national energy policy not to exploit that fuel source.

Right on Joe. Ethanol is a huge scam. We will subsidize it, and pay more for food because of it, and the environment will suffer. NC imports 400 MILLION bushels of corn currently, by rail, mostly from the midwest. When I lived in Beaufort they tried to put one on Radio Island, and we ran them and the local economic developer out of town. Without the govt subsidies and special tax treatments, there would be no ethanol industry. This county is prostituting themselves for maybe 30-40 cheesy jobs.

I don't really care if ethanol is economical. I'm willing to pay more for fuel, in fact, I'm willing to pay a lot more for fuel. The only proviso is I want my fuel to come from America. I'm sick and tired of sending my hard-earned dollars to the Middle East. I buy my gas from Hess for now. Do a little research and you'll see why.

BOO!

Ethanol is LESS efficient than gasoline, raises prices of cow products (beef, milk, etc), and is WORSE for the environment than gas. In short, ethanol is lose-lose. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-04-18-ethanol-study_N.htm

Ethanol is ONLY a good idea when it doesn't affect the price of anything else.

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