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Objectives Describe how ethanol may help improve

public health Describe the benefits of ethanol to the

environment Explain how ethanol may help stimulate

the economy Describe what energy security is and

how using ethanol can help attain it Explain the future of ethanol Explain the suggested actions to support

ethanol

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Domestically produced and renewable

Nontoxic, biodegradable, sulfur-free

May produce cleaner tailpipe emissions

Why Consider Ethanol?

Figure 1: Emission reductions by type. Source: DOE Biomass program.

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Advantages of Ethanol Energy self-sufficiency Creation of jobs within the U.S. Promotes U.S. agricultural sector Reduced emissions

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Figure 2: Comparisons. Source: Fueleconomy.gov.

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There are many benefits of using ethanol to fuel vehicles: Betterment of health and

environment Benefits to the U.S. economy National energy security Reduce dependence on foreign oil

Ethanol Benefits

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Carbon monoxide emissions are responsible for up to 20% of smog formation

Smog can negatively affect the respiratory systems of those with preexisting conditions, the young, and elderly

Ethanol/ethanol blends burn more completely, produce fewer carbon monoxide emissions

Health Benefits

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Ethanol is highly biodegradable Ethanol used as vehicle fuel reduces

harmful emissions Plants used to create

ethanol absorb carbon dioxide during growth

Ethanol does not contain sulfur

Environmental Benefits

Figure 3: Sugarcane field. Source: NAFTC.

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Creation of domestic jobs Growth within U.S. agricultural

sector In 2011, ethanol industry added

more than $42 billion to U.S. GDP, supported more than 400,000 jobs

Economic Benefits

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U.S. = one of the greatest exporters of agricultural products

About half of U.S. oil used in 2010 was imported

Ethanol can be produced from domestic resources

Domestic production lessens dependence on foreign oil

Energy Security Benefits

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Ethanol’s energy balance Ethanol can be produced from

renewable biomass resources Biomass resources can be grown

within the U.S.

Renewable Benefits

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Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) 9 billion gallons in 2008 – 36

billion gallons by 2022 Nearly all gasoline sold in the U.S.

contains ethanol

Ethanol – Today and Tomorrow

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The Future of Ethanol Nearly all gasoline in the U.S.

contains some ethanol RFSs set requirements for minimum

amount of ethanol use Several manufacturers produce

vehicles that are considered flexible fuel (capable of running on E85)

As production increases, the price of ethanol may decrease

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Suggested Actions Increased ethanol

production = lessened dependence on foreign oil

Manufacturers continue to introduce more FFVs

Plans to produce different FFVs seem a viable option

Figure 3: Domestically grown sugar beet. Source: NAFTC.

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Educate consumers about the benefits of ethanol

Price point usually below conventional gasoline prices

Increasing number of E85 stations across the U.S.

Figure 5 (right): Fuel pump label for fuels that contain up to 10% ethanol. Source: NAFTC. Figure 6: E85 cap on a flexible fuel vehicle. Source: NAFTC.

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Figure 7 (top): GM Flexible Fuel vehicle badge. Source: GM. Figure 8 (bottom): Ford Flexible Fuel vehicle badge. Source: Ford.

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Special Note:The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires use of 36 billion gallons of renewable transportation fuels in the U.S. by 2022. Of that quantity, 16 billion gallons must be cellulosic biofuels. Ethanol from corn is capped at 15 billion gallons.

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Upon completing this section, can you: Describe how ethanol may help improve

public health? Explain how ethanol may help stimulate

the economy? Describe the benefits to the environment? Explain the future of ethanol? Describe what energy security is and how

using ethanol can help attain it? Explain the suggested actions to support

ethanol?

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1. List four characteristics of ethanol as a fuel.

2. True or False: Ethanol made from corn today results in a GHG emission reduction of 10% compared to conventional gasoline.

3. True or False: Ethanol production has a positive energy balance.

4. True or False: Nearly all gasoline used in the U.S. contains some ethanol.

Test Your Knowledge