When crude oil reaches about $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon, you will see alternative energy resources come out of the woodwork. Petroleum is still too cheap, but things are getting better. Where do I come up with $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon? Simple: That is the approximate cost of vegetable oil on the open market. When petroleum prices reach the price of vegetable oil, refiners will naturally begin to switch over. (YES, vegetable oil CAN be used in current refineries.) Of course, the supply of vegetable oil is not large enough yet, but when petroleum reaches the switchover price, huge quantities of biologically-based oil will begin to flood the market. It will take a few years for production to rise to demand, but it will happen. Have no fear. There are NO long-term shortages under capitalism.

The technology to convert agricultural wastes into a synthetic crude is getting its first medium-scale test now. See Anything Into Oil This process can convert cow manure, animal renderings, inedible plant remnants, sawdust, and brush from the forest floor into the equivalent of ME Light Crude.