This just in: Innovative ethanol producers may soon start depleting North America's burgeoning garbage dumps. Experts say there may be no stopping them from pillaging trash depositories all over the world within the next decade!

Sorry. It's Monday, and I'm trying to have a little fun with this.

Following the big announcement this summer that Canada's largest ethanol producer, Greenfield Ethanol, and technology provider Enerkem had formed a joint venture to make cellulosic ethanol from Edmonton's garbage, it seems the idea of turning trash into liquid fuel is no longer a space-age concept.

Just last week, solid waste authorities in Crown Point, Ind., approved a preliminary agreement with Powers Energy One, a company hoping to build an $80 million plant that would gasify trash into ethanol. The plan hasn't received the green light yet, though, as developers still have several hurdles to clear, including a public hearing, potential changes and final approval, according to the Chicago Tribune.

At the same time, GreenTech Media reports that a number of trash-to-ethanol projects are in the works across North America, including Fulcrum BioEnergy's plans to begin construction later this year on a $120 million facility near Reno, Nev. Likewise, BlueFire Ethanol plans to construct a facility in Lancaster, Calif., that will use wood chips, grass cuttings and other organic wastes being dumped in a nearby landfill.

Here's a link to the GreenTech Media article, "Biofuels and Electricity Take Out the Trash."

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/biofuels-and-electricity-take-out-the-trash-1195.html

It's a good read for those of you looking for some quick history on turning garbage into energy—and how today's energy economics might favor transportation fuel over electricity.

And, hey, keep an eye on your garbage. It could soon disappear!