Column: Be Cautious on Alternative Energy

President Bush's push to end the nation's oil addiction has the stock market abuzz about alternative energy companies. Again.

Even if the renewed zeal for renewable energy proves lasting this time, investors should try not to get too giddy about the companies that would benefit from new demand for ethanol, solar power and fuel cells.

For starters, anyone hoping to ride the sudden wave of optimism for a quick gain may be too late. The shares of many such companies began rallying weeks before the State of the Union address as word spread among the "smart money" that the president would stress developing new fuel sources.

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