Why US is not starting to grow a millions acres of Cannola?

Have you factored in all the costs of Renewable Energy before you asked the question? I did since 1969 with solar energy. Yes once the infrastructure is paid for on solar predometly the energy is cheap. What is the main cost of solar power? The energy to purify & crystlize the cells. Next comes the volume of land required to capture the "Free Energy".

One also has to look at what happened with .com. ENRON & Global Crossing didn't start doing illegal stuff until they tryed to make more money by creating infrastructure in areas that didn't have PAYING demand or at least at the level that could support a return on investment.

Because it's not cost efficient. The free market is terrific at controlling things like what independent farmers grow much better than the government (I'm assuming your real question is: Why isn't the government making some farmers grow this experimental crap--with no real market--and then subsidizing them with tax payers' money when it rots in silos while everyone else pays higher prices for regular vegetables that didn't get grown because so many farmers are growing canola).

Never mind the rest of your question-it is too silly.

Economics and politics.

First, it is still relatively cheap to buy gas (around just under $3 in most places). Gasohol and diesel are a little more expensive, and in some areas of the country aren't as available.

Second, we don't have an energy policy that encourages alternate fuel research, unlike say, Brazil. All the energy companies such as Exxon, ConocoPhillips, BP, etc. have a vested financial interest in maintaining the status quo, and have the lobbying power (and a pretty compliant President) to help do their bidding.

Canola is a contraction of "Canadian oil, low acid" and is made from rapeseed. It is also known as Also known as "LEAR" oil (for Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed). Natural rapeseed oil contains erucic acid, which is mildly toxic to humans in large doses but is used as a food additive in smaller doses. Canola is a tradename for low erucic acid rapeseed. Canadian plant breeder, Dr. Baldur Stefansson of the University of Manitoba used selective breeding to develop a low erucic acid variety of rapeseed.

Aside from being used as a cooking product, Canola oil is also a promising source for manufacturing biodiesels, a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.

Canola crops are grown throughout the world, China being the worlds largest producer, followed by Canada. The United States already produces this crop as well. In 2004, North Dakota produced 91% of the Canola in the United States.

I have come to the same conclusion(your further comment).

It is reassuring that US government so used to doing things in secrecy for our own good THAT there ARE really good reasons for last ten years policies... it's just for our own good and policy prohibits letting us know(panic etc).

Is it true we'll be nuking Iran and using the glow to save on lighting energy costs?

They need to grow acres of hemp

a far better resource for american needs

even fuel for the cars

but who is going to pursue this?

Farmers grow what they can use to make a profit. There is obviously not a big enough market for Cannola.

sounds good idea, but what happens if a severe drought or excessive rain, do we want to be dependent on a crop fuel that requires good growing seasons.

kristycordeaux!

YOU THE ONE

I sacrifice my answer to say this:

You got my vote for best answer sweetheart.

I definitely like your style.

Darryl S.

Sounds like a good idea to me. I wonder about that too sometimes.