Ethanol has been touted as an alternative, renewable energy source. It is created from plant matter, and there is no drilling required. If the United States could convert from imported oil to an ethanol-based biofuel, energy independence would be assured. Or would it?
Ethanol in America is derived from corn kernels and has been used to fuel cars in the past. In fact, Henry Ford’s Model T was designed to run on 100% ethanol. The Clean Air Act passed in 1990 mandates that standard petroleum-based gasoline is to be mixed with ethanol in certain cities to cut down on ozone production (a byproduct of fuel consumption). That’s why you can buy E85, E87, or E89 at the pump.
Today’s cars have efficient fuel injection systems but only can tolerate a maximum 10% ethanol blend with gasoline. It will cost money and materials to convert our nation’s cars, a factor that is often overlooked when the environmental impact of ethanol conversion is tallied.
69% of the current global ethanol production comes from just two countries – Brazil and the US. Current capacity in the US is 7 billion gallons per year; capacity is being added to bring production capability to 13.5 billion gallons per year by 2010.
The United States currently uses around 150 billion gallons of gasoline per year to power our vehicles. At best, current ethanol production will provide only 9% of our fuel needs.
Additionally, incentives for farmers to produce corn for ethanol production rather than for hungry bellies has contributed to the soaring price of food. The United Nations expert on the right to food has even called for a 5 year moratorium on food crop based biofuel production.
Ethanol by itself is not the solution to America’s push for renewable energy, but it can be part of a fossil-free future, if we keep its limitations in mind.
