are superior to fossil fuels in that they are carbon neutral and especially oxygen neutral. In my unscientific opinion, we have excess free oxygen to breathe in great part to the decay of the 'dinosaurs' anaerobically (without air). This liberated free oxygen. When it is all burned, that oxygen will fade away...kind of like us. Also, bio fuels are not subject to depletion and continually rising prices, unlike oil and coal. Particular care must be used, when selecting bio-diesel and bio-ethanol (moonshine) as an energy source. They must have a good EIEO, or Energy In/Energy Out ratio. If it takes over a gallon of oil/coal to create a gallon of bio-fuels, that is simply a lost cause. Kind of like the Hydrogen Economy. We cannot willy-nilly be herded into something that is not efficient. To make ethanol out of corn seems to be a problem. The growing/harvesting/processing of the corn takes tremendous amounts of fossil fuel energy. Corn is extremely heavily fertilized, with components made of oil and natural gas. This fertilizer is currently killing the Gulf of Mexico from runoff. And, it seems a little obscene to be making gas for our clumsy cars while the world is starving. There's just something wrong with that.

I firmly believe that one un-named superior source of both diesel, and ethanol is industrial hemp. Here are some of the benefits: Drought tolerant Requires minimal fertilizer-it's a weed. Improves the soil Can quickly help prevent flood runoff, and landslides. Grows on marginal land, and improves it. Can be converted easily into directly usable diesel. Is less cancer-causing than oil -- can save on medical problems and expenses. Oxygen and carbon neutral. Requires no insecticides nor pesticides. A source of good quality edible healthy oils and Omega oils and cooking oils. Helps fight the war on drugs (its pollen ruins marijuana crops -- it dilutes pot potency) Our nation's founders grew and used it productively. Can make paper products, high quality long-lasting cloth. Provides chemicals/paints/etc. Is 7 times more efficient than trees in making biomass. Fast growing and easily grown. Purportedly helped us win World War II Can theoretically use waste mine-water, marginal water to grow. Absorbs more carbon than most plants. Will produce clean burning charcoal and fuel Contains all essential amino acids and fatty acids. Has tremendous potential. Unfortunately it's still illegal to grow, and our government will not even consider discussing its possible benefits. As long as it remains tied to a Schedule 1 drug, there will be no experimentation with this wonderful plant that God gave us. Perhaps it's time to re-think our unfounded national aversion to discussing hemp. Ill thought out plans for national bio-fuels may prove to be more of a problem than a solution. Making alcohol from waste however, may be do-able by small groups or individuals. Perhaps we should change the ATF laws regarding our citizens ability to make alcohol. (see also Klebsiella Planticola)