Even if it's a slight net negative for energy, it can be a massive net positive for environmental reasons. That plus lessening the demand for foreign oil is in it's favor, plus it can benefit farmers. Ethenol is one step in the right direction. Combine it with BioDiesel and our carbon and pollution footprints improve. Couple renewable generated electricity (and hydrogen) from hydro/wind/solar and maybe someday fusion... and we'll only be using oil for chemicals... and even then we could do many chems with biological stocks instead.

Higher gas prices mean that it will happen faster. Ever note how the oil industry "just barely" get to your pain threshold and sometimes a little over it with gas prices? They don't want their addicted PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. switching, but they want to extract every penny they can.

Oh, and a Model T got 25 miles to the gallon vs. an Explorer which gets 18 MPG. If the 70's regulations hadn't been relaxed, car companies would have been forced to incrementally increase fuel efficiency. 40-50MPG cars would be the norm. I have 2 non-hybrids, but when it comes time to get a new vehicle, I'm definitely going that way. I also plan on installing solar and geothermal in my next house. There are successful $200,000 homes with zero energy consumption available now (they are on the grid, but in effect they produce as much as they consume). I think the tide might be turning as more consumers become aware and the costs continue to drop.