[Ouderkirk]

While Ethanol may be a somewhat cleaner fuel in that there are no sulfur oxide emissions to create H2SO4 (Sulfuric Acid)the is no accounting for the Nitrogen oxides (NOx) that just as easily create HNO3 (Nitric Acid). So we get the same acid rain...just a different acid. Also...the ratio of fuel to air is considerably different for ethanol. For a car that gets 20MPG on Gasoline, it will get about 11MPG on ethanol. Alcohol has a lower flash point and burns with an almost invisible flame. Accidents which fuel is spilled are most often not fires. All that would change with ethanol.

Nothing is free and there are trade-offs. Higher fuel consumption, more Oxides of Nitrogen pollution and increased fire hazards. Not the panacea that you think

[redgolum]

I agree that it isn't a fool proof thing.

As for the flames, the ethanol will be blended so that wouldn't be a problem. You are right that MPG suffers, but not quite to that extent. Depends a lot on the blend and how the engine is set up.

As for the nitrogen oxides, that is an issue for any air combustion. There are ways to scrub the exhaust (ie catalytic converter), and ways to limit Nox production, but there will always be some.