[Dracula]

Excellent article regarding ethanol production. I am vice president of an architect / engineering firm. My firm works with clients to develop alternative energy systems.

We always look into developing more than one form of alternative energy. We contend that the ideal situation is to have a biodiesel and ethanol plant located on top of a coal bed or coal mine methane source , accompanied by wind power, solar power, and a hydrogen cell.

The technology is currently available to derive energy from nearly any bio - source ( anaerobic digester systems, pyrolastic conversion systems, your own ethanol or biodiesel, and many other sources.

We all know their is no "free" energy. We all know energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only converted. We need to focus on not just creating energy for sale, but to serve our own processes.

Again, excellent observations. I am located in an area rich in alternative fuel resources. What is alarming to me is that the rush is apparently on to see how much of these resources we can sell at a minuscule return. An example would be the farmer who sells his corn to Mr. Big for $ 2.00 per bushel, which is in turn converted to 2.7 gallons of ethanol, which he buys from Mr. Big for $ 2.30 per gallon.
Not good economics. We need more "grass roots' alternative energy development.

Thank you for your observations.

[kellynla]

And thank you for your work.

I also like the desalination/nuclear/hydro/electrical plant idea too.
http://www.aaenvironment.com/nuhydro.htm

I'm no authority on any of these alternatives but whatever their cost; it's cheaper than the life of one Marine.

Semper Fi,
Kelly