TOP ETHANOL MYTHS
One of the most widely used biofuels today, ethanol, has been plagued by inaccurate or outdated information. Below are the top myths we hear.
1. It takes more energy to make ethanol than it contains.
Corn starch-to-ethanol produces slightly more energy than is required to produce it (in addition to the free sunlight). However, new perennial crops like switchgrass, are projected to produce 10 times more energy than the fossil fuel used in its production and transportation.
2. Ethanol is the only biofuel.
In fact, any number of biofuels can be made from cellulose, starch, seed oil or sucrose. These include biobutanol, biodiesel, biogas and even synthetic jet fuels. For cellulosic biofuels, dedicated high-yielding energy crops will be needed in most places to economically produce these fuels. See the Tyranny of Distance >>
3. Ethanol can only supply a small fraction of our transportation fuel needs.
Experts predict that corn starch ethanol can reach about 15 billion gallons in the U.S. Cellulosic ethanol can reach a far greater scale — 120 billion gallons, or 75% of our current gasoline use.
4. Ethanol is driving up food costs.
Ethanol from food crops is driving up grain costs in the short term (commodity markets will adjust as they always do). Ethanol from dedicated energy crops with new traits will help solve this supply-demand issue. Moreover, energy crops can grow where food crops do not, and therefore do not compete necessarily for the same land.
5. Growing more crops for ethanol will have a negative impact on the environment.
New crops being developed as raw materials for biofuels have a number of environmental advantages. Among others, they make the most of current agricultural land through high yields, they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and they require fewer agronomic inputs than current crops. One energy crop, switchgrass, is better for the environment than just about all
traditional row crops cultivated today, according to the NRDC, an environmental group. See the environmental benefits of dedicated energy crops >>
6. There's not enough land to grow crops for ethanol.
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture have identified 60 million acres that can be used to grow energy crops, without impacting domestic food supplies. That's less than the land currently used to export food, feed and fiber crops, and only 6% of total U.S. crop and range land.
7. Ethanol contains less energy than gasoline, and therefore, cars will get fewer miles per gallon.
Ethanol has an average octane rating of 113 compared to 87 for regular unleaded gasoline. As new auto engines take this into account, the miles-per-gallon difference can be minimized.
8. Ethanol from dedicated energy crops and agricultural residues is not feasible yet.
Producing ethanol from biomass is already occurring, but is more expensive than ethanol from corn starch. Innovations in crop biotechnology and at the biorefineries are rapidly bringing down costs.
9. Ethanol can only compete with government subsidies.
The biofuels industry is still young, especially compared to the well-established petroleum industry. A mature biofuels industry — using dedicated energy crops — can compete on price and value with gasoline without subsidies. Department of Energy predicts cellulosic ethanol producer costs of $1.07 per gallon by 2012.
10. Ethanol mandates are the result of Corn State politics.
A broad consensus of scientists, industry leaders and government experts believe that ethanol and other biofuels can provide a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, especially when new energy crops are considered. And, these crops can be grown in nearly every state.
11. Ethanol cannot travel in pipelines.
Ethanol cannot travel in current gasoline pipelines. It requires pipelines that are sealed from water – like Brazil now has. Increased volumes will make new pipelines feasible in the U.S. as well.