America's gluttonous appetite for oil is not new. For the seventh time, President Bush mentioned the importance of energy independence in his State of the Union address last month.

Bush also expressed the need for the United States to invest in the production of ethanol.

Now, Michigan finds itself at an important crossroad. With a forlorn manufacturing-based economy, Michigan clearly needs to start restructuring its economy for the future.

The question begs itself to be asked: Is this corn-based fuel the yellow brick road Michigan so desperately needs?

We think it is.

Michigan's unique resources make it the ideal state to lead the way in ethanol production and innovation. We have two quite necessary ingredients — lots of corn and lots of water.

If we want to be pioneers in the field of alternative fuels, there's no time to waste sitting around hoping for the perfect emissions-free, superefficient fuel to fall into our laps.

At this point, ethanol is one of the most promising alternative fuels, and the state needs to embrace it. Ethanol is produced less expensively and more efficiently than standard gasoline.

Opponents to ethanol production worry about the excessive use of water required. A plant that was proposed in Ithaca would need about 1,200 gallons of water each minute. That would add up to 630 million gallons a year.

However, ethanol production uses 10 times less water than gasoline on a gallon-to-gallon basis, according to MSU chemical engineering Professor Bruce Dale.

And Alex Sagady, an East Lansing environmental consultant, said most of the water would be treated and reused.

Dale also notes that the energy gained from one barrel of oil can create 20 barrels of ethanol.

The need to relinquish our addiction to Middle Eastern oil is far too great. As the threat of terrorism becomes more and more real, we continue to funnel money to an area that is becoming more hostile toward American interests and a breeding ground for many terrorist sects.

Shopping for fuel in America's heartland rather than the war-torn Middle East would do a lot to strengthen and stabilize our economy.

With ethanol, the natural gas needed for its production comes from our friendly neighbors Mexico and Canada.

As China and India expand at their current lightning pace, the demand for fuel skyrockets as we attempt to keep up.

Those who triumph in tomorrow's economy will be the ones who develop cheaper, more efficient forms of energy today.

If Michigan takes an active role in ethanol production and research, it will claim a lucrative spot in the new economy.