For many years ethanol has been touted as the solution to oil dependency.  This is not true!  Although ethanol can be derived from many grain sources it is a costly solution to an already expensive problem. 

   Corn is by far the cheapest source of ethanol. The United States produces 270 million metric tons each year. The greatest majority of this goes to feed for livestock, and to produce cooking oils. 
   Naturally due to its cost per bushel corn is attractive to those wishing to produce ethanol.  The effect of the increased demand for corn (ethanol production) has been an increase in the cost of goods that are supported by corn.  Beef, poultry, pork, all of these are showing signs of stress and price increases related to the rise in the price of corn.  Even the price of something simple, and not directly related to corn, Beer, is affected. 
   Those who would normally grow barley are now switching to corn! Although it is doubtful that college kids across the country will park their cars and hop on their bikes to lower the cost of a mug of beer, there is still some concern expressed! 

   Ethanol simply cannot replace petroleum products.  Corn requires 3 barrels of petroleum based oil to produce the energy equivelent of 4 barrels of ethanol.  This solution is simply a money pit.  Bio-diesel on the other hand is something to consider.  It only takes one barrel of petroleum based oil to produce 10 barrels of the energy equivelent bio-diesel fuel.  Once stocks of bio-diesel are established the equation could be altered to 1 barrel of bio-diesel to produce 10 barrels of bio-diesel!  That is a win win situation, and bio-diesel can be produced from non-feed related items!  So the impact on livestock would be minimized. Abandon the concept of ethanol, embrace the bio-diesels.  They can be used for ships, aircraft, and power plants. Our cars and trucks can run on Lithium batteries!