This editorial is part of a series of opinion pieces on the 2007 farm bill. To read related editorials click here.

The working name of the farm bill, passed by the U.S. House and now in the Senate, accurately reveals its emphases: "Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007." Energy was not nearly as much a topic in the 2002 legislation.

It is important enough now that if the farm bill comes out costing $300 billion over five years, the energy component deserves as much as 10 percent, almost doubling the previous amount.

It will be a greatly improved federal program, since energy should be on everyone's list of the top five national issues. It's a crucial ag topic because we can grow fuel. If even by a relatively small percentage of total fuel consumption, we can lessen our addiction to petroleum, the country and North Dakota in particular will benefit.

Sections of the bill about research on and support of the production of ethanol and other biofuels, including biodiesel, and bio-based chemicals occupy roughly double the amount of space of the 2002 act. "Provides … continues funding … increases funding … improves and increases funding … creates … continues to promote … establishes (twice) … expands … ." These terms tell the story.

Much of the program funding and research has to do with biofuels. We should recall that Rudolph Diesel's prototype engine ran on peanut oil and Henry Ford's first automobile had alcohol in its tank.

Lest anyone get giddy over prospects promised in a farm bill or the boom in building biofuel production plants, it should be recognized that there are hurdles to be cleared and substantial difficulties to be overcome before biofuel is a major factor in the energy market.

n Ethanol made from corn isn't an ideal fuel. Its production can pump a lot of carbon dioxide into the environment, although it burns more cleanly than gasoline. According to Department of Energy figures printed in a recent National Geographic article, it takes one unit of energy to produce corn ethanol yielding 1.3 units of energy. Ethanol made from sugar cane does much better, a ratio of 1-to-8. The same figures show that if gasoline was at $3 a gallon, the amount of E85 needed to yield the same amount of energy would cost about $3.70 retail. Therefore ethanol is subsidized at present - $3 billion a year - to help make it affordable.

n Research into improving the production and delivery of biofuels to market is vital. Increased research is supported by the bill in its present form, but the critical matter of energy transmission is funded mainly through guaranteed loans.

A wide range of renewable energy developments gains support: wind, solar, geothermal and the production of hydrogen in addition to the making of fuel from all kinds of biomass, such as cellulose and waste materials, as well as from crops.

The energy title is a perfect illustration of the fact that a farm bill in the 21st century takes on much more than commodity programs and traditional price supports. Its stakeholders are consumers and society in general, not just farmers.