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whether there will be enough of the corn-derived fuel to meet the anticipated surge in demand
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If you read some of the latest articles on this issue (I had a good one bookmarked but can't locate it now) you'll see that this isn't quite the issue they make it out to be. The ethanol that is being pegged as a current and future fuel additive/replacement is biomass derived EtOH, which uses a completely new production strategy not based on corn or grain derived stocks. Biomass produced alcohols can be made from just about anything, including stuff like grass clippings, anything containing cellulosic plant material. Per pound the greatest yield of ethanol is derived from sugar cane, which is where the majority of the ethanol produced in South America comes from. The article I read stated that Brazil has pretty much the model ethanol based fuel infrastructure and that the US would do well to use it as an example. The Brazilian government has reached agreement with a number of automakers and they are building cars with fuel systems optimized to handle E85 (fuel with 85% ethanol). They also said most modern cars can be converted over to handle E85 for not all that much money. Anyway, right now 40% of Brazils motor fuel requirement is being met by internally produced E85, and they are hoping to increase that to 80% within the next 10 years. They said you can drive into just about any fuel station and choose between E85 or conventional gasoline. They've set up the system in such a way as to maximize efficieny between the crop growers and the distillers and the distribution network, and the government has taken a very hands off approach, which seems to be working well. Everybodies making money and they lessen their dependance on foreign oil imports. Imagine that, not being dependant on middle eastern oil. Even if the stuff were the same price/gallon as normal gas it's worth it just to get that monkey off our backs.