Colorado Corn

Ethanol production creates smaller carbon footprint than gasoline
Increase in corn supply will meet food demand and stimulate renewable fuel growth
MARION, Ohio – A new comprehensive environmental study has revealed that the production of corn-based ethanol leaves a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline.

"This study points out that the production of corn-based ethanol is extremely environmentally responsible and leaves a smaller carbon footprint than what critics would have the public believe,” said Dwayne Siekman, executive director of the Ohio Corn Growers Association. “As shown in theses studies, modern ethanol plants have a superior carbon footprint and net energy benefit when compared to gasoline refineries.”

The OCGA stated that the state's total ethanol output has surpassed 300 million gallons annually and usage of over 550 million gallons which is about 10 percent of total gasoline use in Ohio, thereby playing a significant role in helping the country wean itself from imported/non-renewable carbon-based fuels.

In addition, another study has also revealed that there is substantial room for growth in the ethanol industry without affecting corn supply to the food and feed sectors.

"These two studies indicate the promise of modern ethanol technology. They should put to rest the myth that ethanol is less environmentally friendly than the manufacture of gasoline,” Siekman said. “They also provide a compelling argument that corn growers will be able to produce sufficient supply to meet food, feed and renewable fuel requirements over the next two decades."

Dr. Steffan Mueller, principal research economist at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Energy Resources Center, wrote the study centered on the global warming and land-use impact of a single ethanol plant, the Illinois River Energy facility near Rochelle, Ill., which produces 55 million gallons of ethanol annually.

"We found conclusively that the global warming impact of the modern ethanol plant is 40 percent lower than gasoline. This is a sizable reduction from numbers currently being used by public agencies and in the public debate,” Mueller said. “The study also documents the significant net energy benefits of ethanol when compared to gasoline. And, additional opportunities exist to expand that margin even more through technological improvements and on farm changes in corn production that reduce green house gas emissions.

Furthermore, corn supply for the ethanol plant was primarily met through yield increases in the surrounding area and, as documented with satellite imagery, without conversion of non agricultural land to corn."

Ross Korves, economic policy analyst at ProExporter Network, wrote a broader study that analyzed the results of a technology-driven revolution that is occurring throughout America agriculture, which would see average corn production increase from 155 bushels an acre today to 289 bushels over the next two decades.

The study suggests that sufficient amounts of corn will be available to increase ethanol production from the current level of 9.4 billion gallons last year to 33 billion gallons by 2030 with current technology. The study also factors in increased future demand for corn from both export and livestock (feed) sectors. Korves also looked at the environmental impact of ethanol production, predicting that the global warming impact (GWI) of the average ethanol plant would decline dramatically through increased efficiencies in coming years.

"The GWI of the average ethanol plant is expected to decline 27 percent by 2030," said Korves. "By that year, the GWI of corn ethanol processed in a plant using a biomass combined heat and power system will be less than one-third of the GWI of gasoline."