Is America capable of developing a new "Manhattan Project" regarding the conversion to Bio-fuels?

Question

We have the ability to wage war around the world. We control our forces via space based technologies.

Can't we eliminate our dependence on foreign oil through the use of "Yankee Ingenuity?"

Would'nt a national works project in this direction re-employ our citizens and put an end to this blight of ideological warfare.

The "Middle Easterner's" are in a position of dominance because of our dependence.

You can't cure the "junkie" until you eliminate the source!

Let's beat them by eliminating them from our marketplace!

Answer 1

Nope, not enough viable land area in the US to make it work, plus it will raise the price of competing agricultural products.  Best bet for us is to convert to electric.  Create a "Manhattan project" to make a highly efficient electric motor and at the same time develop the next generation of nuclear power plant and build 20 of them in Nevada, 20 in Arizona and 20 in Montana.  Electric cars, trucks, scooters, homes etc.  Wind doesn't work, solar is too inefficient, coal is dirty, dams for hydro displace too many people and wild life.

Answer 2

It might help, if we put more money into it. The manhattan project was funded by billions of government dollars, biofuel gets something in the millions as far as money goes.

The biggest problem is that if we were to convert from what we use now to biofuel, we'd need land area comparable to 2x that of the ENTIRE United States to grow enough whatever to meet the need. So basically, it's impossible for biofuel to be the complete solution. It can help, but no matter what, it'll be a small portion of the "help".

Also, besides the fact that there simply is not enough land area to grow all that corn or whatever, where would we grow even a small portion of it? With population growing so rapidly, all I see are farms getting converted into subdivisions, not the other way around. So we start using corn for biodiesel. Now there's not as much available for livestock and human consumption. It's a possibility that could have a negative impact on the food market. Maybe a small one, but a consideration nontheless.

I just don't think biofuels are the answer. I'm a huge fan of nuclear technology, but it's been given a bad rap. The technology for it is pretty safe though, especially when you think of how harmful the other options are.