http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202174934.htm

"Total environmental and health costs of gasoline are about 71 cents per gallon, while an equivalent amount of corn-ethanol fuel costs from 72 cents to about $1.45, depending on the technology used to produce it. An equivalent amount of cellulosic ethanol, however, costs from 19 cents to 32 cents, depending on the technology and type of cellulosic materials used."

This sounds great in numbers to a person like me who doesn't really understand much science, but I'm still curious to know how they determined this cost to human health and environment.

I wonder how long it will be until this fuel is made commercially available. Will it ever be?

Looks like at least one guy is taking a big step towards making this happen, which is encouraging. Let's hope things work out well.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKTRE50B6ZF20090112

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - The top U.S. ethanol producer Poet said on Monday it has opened an $8 million pilot plant to produce an alternative low-carbon motor fuel made from corn cobs and other crop residue.

The 20,000 gallon (77,800 liters) per year plant, which was built in Poet's home state South Dakota, is planned as a forerunner to the company's $200 million commercial-scale cellulosic plant, called Project Liberty. The company hopes to open that plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa in 2011."