Ethanol: Fuel that helps our Economy Grow

[johnny861]

http://www.mncorn.org/servlet/mcga/resource/ethanol.iml


Congratulations, Minnesota!


If you live in Minnesota, you're fortunate to be part of one of the most progressive clean air fuel programs in the country. The program began in 1992 in the Twin Cities metro area, and eventually expanded into a statewide policy. Minnesota legislation now ensures that the vast majority of gasoline sold in the state contains an oxygenate, to provide for cleaner air. In Minnesota, the oxygenate most often used is ethanol.

Oxygenates are blended with gasoline to reduce the amount of harmful carbon monoxide that is discharged from internal combustion engines, like automobiles, lawn mowers, snowmobiles and boat motors. The result of adding an oxygenate (ethanol) is cleaner air for all Minnesotans.


Ethanol is good for our environment

Ethanol is one of the best tools we have to fight air pollution from vehicles. Ethanol is an oxygenate, which simply means that it contains oxygen (about 35%). Adding oxygen to fuel results in more complete fuel combustion, thus reducing harmful tailpipe emissions.

Ethanol also displaces the use of toxic gasoline components such as benzene and MTBE, both known carcinogens. Unlike petroleum-based fuels, ethanol is non-toxic, water soluble and quickly biodegradable.

Ethanol is good for Minnesota's economy


A 2003 study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) show that the 14 ethanol plants operating in the state produce about 300 million gallons of ethanol, and generate total sales of more than $380 million dollars per year. The ethanol industry's total economic impact to the state is in excess of $580 million every year. Ethanol production helps rural Minnesota communities thrive, by offering employment, an increased tax base and better prices for corn, the raw material used in most Minnesota ethanol production.

Ethanol reduces our dependence on foreign oil

An unfettered supply of affordable energy is crucial to U.S. security and economic health. Yet, recent events have reminded us of the high price we pay for imported energy. With U.S. dependence on foreign oil projected to grow from 57% in 2002 to 68% in 2025, our country increasingly relies on crude oil supplies from very unstable regions of the world.

Renewable fuels like ethanol - produced in this country mostly from corn - are part of the solution to our foreign energy dependency. The use of ethanol directly displaces imports of foreign oil and gasoline additives. Today, ethanol reduces the need to import 128,000 barrels a day of oil and gasoline additives.

Ethanol is safe for all engines

Ethanol is warranted by every automobile manufacturer in the world, and is safe for all engines. Ethanol enhances engine performance by increasing the octane level in gasoline. Many world-class motorcycle and snowmobile racers prefer ethanol because of its performance advantage over other fuels.

Ethanol cleans engines and prevents the build-up of engine deposits. It is safe for engine gaskets, valves, and cylinders in cars, boats, ATVs and all other non-automotive engines, like lawnmowers and chainsaws.

Ethanol is also an ASTM-approved fuel. But probably the most compelling evidence that ethanol is safe for all engines is that motorists have driven more than a trillion miles problem-free using ethanol-blended fuel. And, if you buy your gas in Minnesota, your non-automotive engines have been running fine on ethanol-blended gas for quite a few years now.


E85: The clean air solution

In addition to being blended in Minnesota's gasoline at about a ten percent rate, ethanol is also blended into a fuel formulation called E85, which is comprised of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent petroleum. This fuel can be used by a growing number of vehicles called Flexible Fuel Vehicles, or FFVs. FFVs are designed to run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to 85% ethanol. Today, Minnesota has more than 100,000 FFVs on its roads, and over 75 E85 fueling stations - more than any other state in the country. Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have shown that harmful exhaust emissions can be reduced by more than 50% by using high-blend fuels such as E85.

The American Lung Association promotes and supports the use of E85 as a cleaner alternative to gasoline.

[johnny861]

But, In addition to the negatives, there are positives of ethanol as a contributor, NOT a replacement...


Ethanol-blended fuels account for 12% of all automotive fuels sold in the U.S.


Many corn refining factories produce both ethanol and other corn products like starches and sweeteners so that capital and manufacturing costs can be kept as low as possible. While they are making ethanol, corn refiners also produce valuable coproducts such as corn oil and corn gluten feed.

Ethanol plays three major roles in today's economy and environment. First, it replaces about $2 billion dollars of imported oil with a secure, domestic fuel.

Second, it is an important component of gasoline reformulated to reduce pollution in cities which are not achieving air quality standards mandated by the Clean Air Act.

And finally, it provides a major income boost to farmers and rural communities where most ethanol is manufactured.

Ethanol, blended with gasoline at a 10% level or in the form of ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) made from ethanol, is effective in reducing carbon monixide levels, ozone pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from automobile exhaust