Moonshine: Fuel of the 21st Century

This is an excellent article about the potential and challenges of using ethanol as a fuel source.

For the record, I'm against it: corn ethanol in large amounts is agriculturally unsustainable, and distracts from the increased efficiencies (like hybrid cars and green buildings) that could quickly deliver energy benefits. We shouldn't be wasting another cent on corn ethanol research, even as a stop-gap to get us to the mythic hydrogen economy. The article nicely explains where both the benefits and difficulties of measuring potential lie, though, so don't take my word for it. Should be required reading for every legislator and driver in the country.