Dwindling petroleum supplies and growing environmental concerns are significantly impacting the cost of petro-fuel and its infrastructure. The search for alternative fuel sources has led to ethanol, a gasoline substitute that is already in the marketplace as Gasohol and E-85. But large-scale production of corn-based ethanol is controversial as it threatens the world's food supply. There are alternatives, however: Brazil uses sugar cane, which is up to six times more productive in energy conversion.

After the energy crisis of the 1970s, there was a lot of misinformation about the cost of individual ethanol production. In order to achieve energy independence from gasoline, ethanol lends itself to small-scale production, and especially to cooperative ventures in rural communities, often using 'waste' feedstock.

Alcohol Fuel is a practical, grass-roots book that will give readers all the information they need, covering every aspect of making and using ethanol for fuel, including:

• Permitting and planning
• Budgeting and setup
• Sourcing feedstocks
• Finding and building distillation equipment
• Storage and safety
• Practical applications for converting motor vehicles, farm equipment and space heating systems

The practical, user-friendly information on basic equipment needs, fermentation recipes and distillation designs will be of interest to readers looking for information as well as those ready to make the switch.