Economic Feasibility of Ethanol From Sugar Crops

This research out of LSU indicates that, at least for now, corn is the most economically feasible feedstock for ethanol production in the U.S.

The Economic Feasibility of Ethanol Production from Sugar Crops

Michael E. Salassi

Ethanol is a high-octane fuel used primarily as a gasoline additive and extender. Since the late 1970s, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) has replaced lead as the primary gasoline additive in the United States. Over the past few years, however, several states have banned the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive because of its environmental problems resulting in groundwater contamination. The reduction in use of MTBE and recent surging prices for petroleum-based fuels are dramatically increasing the demand for ethanol and the interest in ethanol production in the United States.

Ethanol can be produced from carbohydrates such as...(complete article here).