New alternatives to alternative fuels?

A new Nebraska 25 x '25 Energy Group has been formed to work with a national group with a similar name toward the goal of having 25 percent of our nation's energy come from renewable, ag-based energy sources by 2025.

Since only about 6 percent of the nation's total energy consumption comes from such sources now, that may seem optimistic.

But if all or some of the other renewable energy sources become reality, it's a goal that could easily be reached or exceeded.

Already, 97 ethanol plants are capable of producing nearly 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol a year, and another 41 are under construction or expansion. Their production is the equivalent of 3 percent of the nation's gasoline supply.

Nebraska is poised to become the second-leading ethanol producing state, and should brew more than a billion gallons in 2007.

While the vast majority of the ethanol is produced from corn, developers are already hedging their bets.

In Sioux City, Iowa, the Chief Energy Co. recently announced plans for a 100 million gallon ethanol plant, using corn, to be developed immediately. Over the next seven year, however, the company plans to add a 30 million gallon biodiesel plant and a 20 million gallon cellulosic ethanol plant.

While dryland corn and sorghum can be used by conventional ethanol plants, a plant that can convert products like switchgrass and corn stover into fuel ethanol is worth consideration along the Republican River, where water issues may make corn a less attractive crop.

Can grass be used to make fuel?

Well, at the recent Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, an Iowa girl demonstrated how big bluestem prairie grass could be fermented into alcohol.

The girl, Allison Wilson, 17, said the native grass has a clear advantage over corn.

"It doesn't have to be planted each year, it requires no fertilizer and it can be harvested two to three times a year. And, it's free." She was able to make the equivalent of 85 gallons of ethanol from an acre of the grass, and won $11,000 in scholarships for her efforts.

Biodiesel from soybeans is already a viable alternative fuel, with some farmers already operating their own small plants to produce tractor fuel.

Another alternative crop that shows promise for producing biodiesel was recently discussed at a Nebraska Legislature Natural Resources Committee hearing in Kearney.

It grows well in Nebraska's soil and climate, takes little water, and besides having enough oil for biodiesel, its fibers can be processed into cloth and plastics.

The only problem is, it's hemp. Because it's closely related to marijuana, federal regulations don't allow it to be grown legally, like it is in nearly every other industrialized nation.

But old timers remember when ethanol plants had another name -- stills -- and federal involvement was limited to smashing them up and sending the operators to jail.

Surely there's a way another new alternative fuel can be produced while making sure it isn't illegally converted into an intoxicating substance.