Frank wrote:
Use of fuel for food is pure stupidity. Studies have shown that the
fuel you get out is about equal to the energy you put in.

How come Brazil could get away from dino oil and we, with all our
technology and money, couldn't?

They haven't. The amount of petroleum for cars has been supplemented, but
Brazil still uses large amounts of petroleum for other products. In fact
Brazil just found one of the largest oil reserves in the hemisphere and will
be developing it. Last I heard, they expect to be producing a couple of
million barrels per day.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...atin_ame rica
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4563896.stm

Looks like sugar cane is much more
efficient than corn.

That's why they (Brazilian farmers) are now turning huge tracts of Amazonian
rain forest (jungle) into sugar cane production in order to sustain the
ethanol production program. Brazil, of course, denies any impact on the
jungle.

Brazilian started the ethanol program since the
start of the oil crisis during the 1970s while we're only getting
started now when oil is hitting $100 per barrel. I wouldn't be
surprised if oil will hit $200 per barrel by year end.

The problem is the amount of farmable land for food or fuel production,
which includes water for irrigation. Right now it is a finite pie..... you
take a slice for fuel crops and that reduces the slices available for food
crops.

--
Dave www.davebbq.com

What is best in life? "To crush your enemies, see them driven before
you, and to hear the lamentation of the women." -- Conan