brazil ethanol

Is this right??? It seems different from much of what I read here, but
it is hard to doubt the WSJ.
"After nearly three decades of work, Brazil has developed a
cost-effective alternative to gasoline... (and ) expects to become
energy independent this year (down from importing 80% in the 1970s--the
U.S. imports about 60% currently)...Brazil can make ethanol from sugar
cane for about $1 a gallon, according to the World Bank. That compares
with the international price of gasoline of about $1.50 a gallon. Even
though ethanol gets less mileage per gallon than gasoline, in Brazil
it's still much cheaper per mile driven."

"Using carbohydrates instead of fossil-fuels to run cars is not a new
idea. Henry Ford's first car was made to run on ethanol...During World
War II, the U.S...and other nations relied on ethanol to extend
gasoline supplies. In the postwar period, gasoline was so plentiful and
cheap that ethanol lost its allure.

"India and China have sent a parade of top officials to see Brazil's
program..."

David Luhnow and Geraldo Samor, "As Brazil Fills Up on Ethanol, It
Weans Off Energy Imports", The Wall Street Journal, Monday, January
9th, 2006, front page

.

Relevant Pages

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