There must be a well considered approach to the consumption side in any replacement motor fuel discussion. Algal fuel discussion seems to be another case of maintaining the status quo of highway oriented transport. Just replace petroleum with a less problematic energy source, and motor on. Hopefully some following comments will look at the post WWII distribution policies, like just-in-time, that have fostered intensive restocking trips, requiring massive trucking VMT to replace stock as it is sold. Inventory tax is more than a revenue source, serving well to promote the trucking industry at cost of the in place railway infrastructure circa 1950.

Rails have been stripped mercilessly since Ike's Interstate Defense Highway Act of 1956, not only to meet trucking competition and streamline operations, but inresponse to taxing right-of way. This rr right of way levy destroyed rail's ability to offer local service enroute, and gave local communities no choice in freight service except highway, even when the rails run thru town.

Intended or not, a combination of events evolved that led President Eisenhower to exclaim about the "Military Industrial Complex" in his departing address. It must have dismayed Ike, as it dawned that the choice to shift rail distribution orientation to imported oil dependent commercial motor transport was a base element of the vast expansion of military forces needed to protect the ever increased annual oil import numbers. This is the Big Mother of Catch 22, and the reason we are frantically searching for ways to keep the rubber rolling.

Because miltary logistics are close to every president's heart regardless of their original election planks, it seems appropriate for a suggestion: Consider re-commission of the US Army National Guard Railroad Operating and Maintenance Battalions, as functioned for about 100 years, ending during the Vietnam Era. Interesting timing that, Vietnam easily shown to be an Oil War, defending the Straits of Malacca for the convenience of Royal Dutch Shell Indonesian operations. Wonder how many of the parents or brothers of the men in the casualty lists considered where the oil was coming from as they contemplated driving one of the new fleet of muscle cars in vogue right thru the VN war years? New GTO's, Corvettes, Olds 442's, 409's, Mustangs, Hemis, 6 packs and Smokey Yunick! Vrooom!

The military railway operations stateside was a silent partner with the US private carriers, seedstock for rr savvy employees. Participating men & women were disciplined in the rr rules and understood their important mission: assisting US mainline rail operations when needed during seasonal traffic surges, being part of a rich history of enabling timely recovery after storm disaster, a peaceful tool for societal and commercial cohesion when the US was a lending not a borrowing nation. As much as Ike promoted truck convoys, he also understood what the railway could do with about 1/3 the fuel. Incremental rehab of agricultural rail branchlines is useful, even as agricutural fuels sources are in experimental phase.

As one reads the various papers explaining pros & cons of this & that motor fuel replacement, it is notable to see the panorama of accompanying gimmickry needed to deal with bringing these new juices up to scale. Hopefully, some bright young people will take some time to just think and meditate on pros &cons of re-inventing US railway matrix, track footprint similar to the circa Second World War. This time around, we have perfected containerization and can eliminate much of the spur track needed when packaged freight had to be loaded in and out of boxcars. Add back a passing track in the smaller towns and cities, emplace container handling gear, and interface same with local trucking.

Crucial fact is, the railway plant is an actual working part of today's scene, as is trucking. The fuel savings comes from increasing miles hauled by rail, while decreasing miles hauled on highways. A quick and upbeat read on this subject can be found in Christopher C. Swan's "ELECTRIC WATER" (New Society Press, 2007).

EIOER is a test the railways invented. In transport, railways offer a standard for fuel consumption that cannot be ignored or wished away. US scientific community must include fair study of Asian, European rail projects underway; worldwide, strategic planners are adding to Parallel Bar Therapy.