I certainly agree that biofuels have distinct potential downside from the agrarian source, but like most issues many aspects have been over-emphasized and outright exaggerated. What gets me is corn as a source for ethanol as it's one of the poorest producers by volume. There's your farm lobby at work! Biodiesel, like ethanol, has an extremely broad spectrum of sources and they all have positive and negative aspects to them. However NONE OF THEM approach the negatives of continued reliance upon fossil fuels. But yes, one of my favorite arguments is the increased fuel consumption to produce these crops. It points immediately to the lack of knowledge being wielded by those presenting the argument as most crop producers run on the very biofuel they're producing the crops for. Using petroleum fuel would sorta be like working the counter at McDonalds while munching on a Whopper, just don't make good sense. Of course this isn't 100% across the board, but we've got to start somewhere. And again, we as a country ran on biofuels a century ago. We know how to do this!

I'm all for solar as well, which again points to biofuels as plants are the ultimate battery. Biodiesel and ethanol are almost like putting sunshine in your fuel tank, no toxic batteries required. I've been following recent boosts in solar panel efficiencies also as having the ability to pump solar-fueled electricity directly into the grid can only be a good thing, and the more efficient the better as that gets not only the ultimate cost down but the physical area required to produce a given amount of power as well. Giving up a chunk of real estate for an array of solar panels has turned many fence-sitters away from this excellent power source.

Using all the available non-petroleum energy technologies together as a coordinated sympony of power can easily overcome our problems, but like most technological advances we have to quell the overwhelming tide of ignorance with effective "real world" applications for all to see it's not just a pipe dream.

Besides, I get a little reminder every time I fill the Jetta up about how fantastic diesel is. Tonight I just got my first 600-mile tank! w00t! Hoping to get in the "800 Club" soon.