great. just what we needed.

http://phys.org/news/2013-12-algae-crude-oil-million-year-natural.html

ok. so, the process is in theory cyclical if you expect oil companies to build giant carbon catching windmills rather than recycling the captured carbon they've put aside from burning coal.

if it completely replaces burning geological carbon, it's an idea that could help. in reality, it sounds like a way to make a profit off of stored carbon created by burning coal.

regardless, i haven't interpreted biofuels quite like this before. it's sort of understood that the carbon can't be recycled like this because oil can't be created on demand. once that's presented as possible, the whole argument shifts.

i'm not sure it's feasible to shift entirely, and i don't think it's a "get out of alternative energy" card. but it seems like it's an idea to add to the options.

i'm usually critical of ethanol because the energy in exceeds the energy out. that's another question to explore and that i don't feel the article answered.