What About Ethanol?

The United States harbors only 4% of the world's population, yet it possesses such a sweet tooth for oil that it devours an astounding 25% of the planet's energy resources. It's a trait that has the country hopelessly reliant upon the whims of foreign oil markets.

The U.S. government has long recognized the potential problems of its oil addiction, but with so many White House careers determined by the state of the economy, politicians have been reluctant to impose change. They have worried that a veer toward alternative fuels could disrupt the nation's economic status quo and, ultimately, cost jobs, including their own. Consequently, commitments to rehab the nation from imported oil have amounted to little more than token election-year promises.

But change is afoot. The colossal ouch of escalating gas prices, and the grim geological reality of diminishing oil reserves, have finally snapped the government into action. Alternative fuels are now being recognized not as organic pipe dreams, but as sources of promise. And, topping this alternative fuel list is ethanol.

What Is Ethanol?

Ethanol, according to the U. S. Department of Energy, is "an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars."

The key words to this definition are "starch crops." For unlike oil, ethanol represents a renewable energy source that can be converted from a variety of crops and cellulosic feedstocks including corn, corn stalks, switchgrass, sugar cane, wheat, barley, potatoes, sorghum, grain straw, and more. The genius of ethanol is that technology keeps adding to the list, as evidenced by the recent additions of paper pulp and municipal solid wastes.

Corn currently stands as the nation's chief ethanol source, but switchgrass, which is native to North America and (unlike most other plants) is remarkably adaptable to pests, harsh weather conditions, and poor soils, is quickly advancing to favored status for its ability to produce greater yields at far less cost.

Will Ethanol Work?

To address any doubts as to ethanol's effectiveness, one only has to look to Brazil, the world's pacesetter for alternative fuels. Since it began converting sugar cane into ethanol in 1975, Brazil has:

• Saved $1.8 billion by replacing its 200,000-barrels-of-oil-a-day habit with ethanol.

• Created 5.4 million ethanol-powered cars and trucks.

• Generated more than 900,000 new jobs.

• Become the world's leading ethanol exporter, shipping more than a $500 million worth to mainly Sweden and Japan.

Because of this success, Brazil, within the next year, will become the world's first energy-independent nation. So as to protect its populace from fluctuating energy prices, most of Brazil's cars have been converted into "flexible fuel vehicles," allowing them to run on either gas or ethanol. This way, drivers are kept happy by having the option of choosing the lower-priced fuel.

Clean Air Benefits

Besides ethanol's obvious appeal of being a domestic renewable energy source, it also receives applause for reducing toxic emissions by 30%. Compared with fuel-charged vehicles, ethanol-operated vehicles score lower in carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, nonmethane hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Availability in the United States

Unfortunately, ethanol is still years―maybe even decades―away from becoming a major energy player in the Unites States. In 2005, the country produced 4 billion gallons of ethanol, which equated to only about 3% of the nation's gas digestion.

Currently ethanol is sold as an E10 blend, meaning one gallon of fuel contains 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline. It's compatible with all cars; no engine modifications are required.

There is also a cheaper E85 blend, a true alternative option, containing 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gas. Unfortunately, however, this only works in flexible fuel vehicles. Before filling your tank with E85, make sure your car is compatible. Either consult the owner's manual or look it up.

If you're interested in converting your car into E85 mode, you're out of luck. There are currently no conversion kits available in the country. More and more auto companies, however, are making flexible fuel engines as part of the standard package for all newer models.

Another current problem is ethanol's lack of national accessibility. To date, out of more than 165,000 gas stations throughout the country, only 685 offer E85 pumps. And, most of these are found only in the Midwest and California.

Other Quick Facts

• One bushel of corn can be converted into 2.8 gallons of ethanol.

• One acre of corn can produce enough E10 to keep a car running for 72,000 miles.

• Every barrel of ethanol saves the nation 1.2 barrels of crude oil.

• E10 is also approved for snowmobiles, lawn mowers, motorcycles, and chainsaws.

• Ethanol protects against gas line freezing.

Additional Resources

• American Coalition for Ethanol

• Governors' Ethanol Coalition

• National Corn Growers Association