In this era of looking for alternative energy sources, the idea of fermenting lactose in surplus whey (which traditionally has been regarded as a waste product) to produce fuel ethanol has gained attention. This study sets out to explore issues that are pertinent to understanding the viability of producing fuel ethanol from whey: (a) The volume of lactose in whey that is available for fermentation and the potential volume of fuel ethanol production; (b) The current status of whey-to-fuel ethanol production; (c) The technologies and processes of producing fuel ethanol from whey; (d) The costs and returns of producing fuel ethanol from whey; and (e) The organization of the whey-ethanol enterprise and the role dairy cooperatives may play.