Developing alternative fuel supplies. The United States can take the lead from Brazil. As of 2006, Brazil is 100% free from foreign oil supplies. In addition to their own oil reserves, they supplement their fuel demand with ethanol and ethanol blended fuels made primarily from sugarcane grown in country. Sugarcane is the most efficient method to produce ethanol and new Brazilian automobiles exclusively use 100% ethanol or 85/15 ethanol/gasoline blend (Regan, 2006, pp1).
Can America accomplish a similar goal? The answer is yes. Right now, General Motors offers blended fuel automobiles that can run on 85/15, ethanol/gasoline blend. The technological problem is not consumption but fuel production. Right now, the key element for US ethanol is corn and it is a poor choice for a couple of reasons. One, it requires the most energy to transform it into ethanol. Where sugarcane yields 8:1 (8 units of ethanol for every 1 unit of energy to transform it), corn comes in last at 1.14:1 (Stillman, 2006, pp1). Second, using corn for ethanol production can have a dramatic impact to the food economy causing inflation.
Sugarcane is the right answer. In addition to being the most efficient method of producing ethanol, it will not have a dramatic effect on food supply and demand. Already grown in the southwest US and Hawaii, an added benefit is economic growth in US friendly (developing) nations like the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. The climate in these regions are well-suited for sugarcane production and the investment in agriculture production will be offset by the economic benefits it will bring through increased cash flow and employment.
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