Ethanol's Options

In a comment on future energy supplies the NY Times (1.5.2006) favours ethanol as a substitute for fossil fuels. In particular cellulosic ethanol which is produced "from a range of crops, native grasses like switchgrass and even the waste components of farming and forestry" is promising as for it consume less energy for producing it than ethanol from corn. However, lot of research and investment is necessary to substitute a relevant share in petrol use. The company Iogen which is already deploying the technique calculates the investment of 300 Dollars for a first commercial plant. Well, President Bush only allocates some 150 Million Dollars for research, development and production altogether. The critics point, according to a news report by AFP (2.5.2006), onto the energy costs you have for ethanol production, pesticides and fertilizer usage for the fields which may pollute water, and necessary changes in infrastructures both for filling stations and agriculture.