Ethanol is a biofuel derived mostly from corn. Ethanol in gasoline is playing a major role in reducing emissions from the traditional gasoline-powered cars on the road today, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Auto mechanics and consumers do not seem to be fond of biofuels.
Nearly half of the gasoline sold in the U.S. today contains 10 percent ethanol fuel. The Department of Energy claims this additive boosts octane, helps meet federally mandated air quality requirements, and reduces exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide by 30 percent, compared to pure gasoline. Carbon monoxide creates smog, acid rain, global warming, and environmental problems.
Flex-fuel Vehicles and e85 Ethanol
The "flex-fuel" vehicles car makers now offer, run on either straight unleaded gasoline or e85, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The vehicles promote emissions savings, cost stability, and reduced reliance on foreign oil, all according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
So, if e85 ethanol fuel is so wonderful, what is the problem? For one thing, most of the e85 refueling stations are in the Midwest's "corn belt". Suppliers have not kept pace with capacity and demand for a cleaner burning fuel, while automakers continue to produce more flex-fuel vehicles. The federal government has subsidized ethanol producers only (more plants are under construction) and not the distributors and retailers.
Ethanol Producers are Angry
Recently, the Energy Department made comments about lifting the import ban on ethanol and lowering the blending ratios prescribed under the Biofuels Law. This talk drew angry responses from local ethanol producers. The world's largest producer of ethanol is Brazil.
Ethanol producers were also angered when the Environmental Protection Agency postponed a decision to increase the maximum blend allowed at the pump from 10 percent to 15 percent, stating more research was required.
Cost to Produce Ethanol
Professor David Pimentel of Cornell University, Agricultural Department argues that producing ethanol actually creates a net energy loss. His research shows that a gallon of ethanol contains 77,000 BTUs of energy to burn, but requires 131,000 BTUs to make. Then there is the BTUs burned from fossil fuel to power the farm equipment, the barges, trains, and trucks to transport to refineries and ultimately fueling stations.
Powering a car for a single year on ethanol requires 11 acres of corn. Stepping up ethanol fuel use could see a shortage of domestically grown food and higher prices at the grocery stores. Proponents of ethanol claim these numbers are un-substantiated and Pimentel has ties with "big oil".
NASCAR
NASCAR Chairman Brian France said at the Daytona International Speedway that NASCAR might not use Ethanol in the 2011 season. They had previously said NASCAR would use ethanol. He gave no specific reason for the delay.
Auto Mechanics and Consumers
Popular Mechanics Editor in Chief has written an article on The Ethanol Fallacy, in which he states that the United States Government is forcing us into a technology as an "alternative" energy that is enormously expensive yet barely saves a gallon of oil. Most auto mechanics claim the ethanol additive harms small engines, such as lawn mowers, and ethanol damages parts in older vehicle engines.
Motor Club AAA addressed the ethanol issue in the May/June edition of "Home & Away" magazine. AAA outlined tests that they are conducting, with the intention of sending the results to the EPA. The tests will specifically address the issues of mileage, emissions, and engine affects from e15 blends. The response from readers was surprisingly negative and overwhelming.
Many of the charges on both sides remain in dispute, thus, the debate continues.
Sources:
Editor-in-chief, December 18, 2009, "The Ethanol Fallacy": Op-Ed", Popular Mechanics, popularmechanics.com, Accessed July 5, 2010
Long, Dustin, July 4, 2010, 'NASCAR chairman says green initiatives still in the works", pilotonline.com, Accessed July 5, 2010.
Zimmerman, Cindy, June 18,2010, "Ethanol Groups Frustrated Over E15 Delay", Domestic Fuel Cast, domesticfuel.com, Accessed July 5, 2010
Beverly Bright - Beverly worked in industrial/commercial Architectural Drafting and Design for 35 years and owned and managed her own business for 17 of ...
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