You guys need to check your history. The only reason ethanol is being used is because there is a FEDERAL mandate that gasoline contain a certain percentage of oxygenator. It used to be MTBE. That was outlawed (dumb) so now the only choice is ethanol. (until someone comes up with Plan C)

The political debate about ethanol is not Republican vs. democrat, although the Dems like to pretend they are greener. it is smart vs. stupid and stupidity has no party affiliation.

And on another note, why the debate concerning the octane level of ethanol vs. gasoline? If the pump says 93 octane, you get 93 octane no matter what the composition is. Doesn't matter if it is 100% ethanol or 100% gasoline. It will be blended to give you 87, 89 or 93. Your engine won't know the difference in that regard.

It *will* know the difference on the lower BTU content and your wallet will know too. Plus in other applications, ethanol is destructive to components, and in aviation gas actually dangerous. (attracts water vapor which at high altitude can freeze-bad news)

Corn Ethanol is not the greastest system but it is more of a stepping stone since this is what farmers and ethanol plants are geared up to produce.

Cellulose and switchgrass are the way to go. The energy yield goes up much much higher and doesn't take away from food. It is a by-product (cellulose) and it can grow in places that can not be used for traditional farm land (switchgrass).

The ethanol industry is slowly switching over. I believe the first cellulose ethanol plant was built about a year ago in South Dakota.