The Ethanol Myth
This video raises some serious questions about the perceived advantages of ethanol and the current political hype surrounding its production. Politicians throughout the United States are promoting increased production and subsidies for the so-called ‘green fuel’, but as this video clearly points out, there may actually be zero environmental or economic benefits. Simply put, ethanol is an over-hyped waste of time that only really benefits producers and government officials who are using the fuel to make themselves appear to be doing something to save the environment.
Fullscreen: Myth: Corn Ethanol is Great | More Videos
Focus Points:
- Politicians are catering to corn-growing states for votes in upcoming elections.
- If ethanol were really better, it wouldn’t need government subsidies.
- It takes as much energy to produce ethanol than you get when it is burned.
- It takes a lot of fossil fuels to make fertilizers that help grow corn, run farms, transport fuel, process corn, etc.
- Ethanol cannot be transported through pipelines because of degradation.
- It takes a lot of land to grow the corn needed for ethanol production.
- Ethanol does not reduce America’s foreign dependence on oil.
- Ethanol production only benefits corn growers, farm equipment suppliers and politicians.
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8 Responses to “The Ethanol Myth”
May 13th, 2007
Here, here. People should really give attention to butanol, which is more energy-efficient and can already be fermented from cellulose wastes, rather than starting to import corn from Mexico.
Check out the book The Long Emergency. Kunstler explains in depth why ethanol will not save us.
Instead of trying to find other ways of supporting our ridiculous consumption, why don’t we all start taking transit, sell our gas guzzling SUVs, carpool, or bicycle everywhere?
honestly…
Brazil is a large nation that is already running on ethanol and they have significantly decreased their foreign dependancy on oil. Many of the modified cars they use are manufactured here in the United States. Ethanol is not THE solution NOW, but it is part of the solution and will become an increasingly viable and cost effective one with improvements in technology, fuel efficient vehicles, refining processes, and an increase in corn farming. Combined with fuel conservation improvments both at the local and national levels, improving technology, and other alternative sources of power, including electric cars for short ranged trips, it CAN be a part of the FUTURE SOLUTION.
In addition to costing more money to use ethanol in our vehicles due to the reduced mileage, it will raise the cost of every other product produced with corn due to the increased demand. It’s all supply and demand.
Ethanol can never be produced in a large enough quantity to supply all, or even a majority of our gasoline usage in America. The popularity of ethanol doesn’t mean it is a good alternative to gasoline. There are a lot of people making money on it right now. It’s a huge boon to small towns here in Minnesota - but that still doesn’t make it a good alternative to gasoline.
We just need to consume less fuel. That is the best long-term way to reduce our consumption, costing us less and driving down the price of gasoline and other items produced from oil. Supply and demand.
All ethanols are not created equal. One must consider the source of the ethanol to figure out how much or how little environmental benefit it has. Corn is an inefficient source for producing ethanol. Sugar cane is more efficient and I believe is widely used as a source in Brazil. Producing ethanol from cellulosic sources (such as the plant materials left over after sugar is removed from the cane) could be very beneficial because it is utilizing a part of the plant that is otherwise considered “waste.” Research is being done to figure out how to produce cellulosic ethanol. Algae and prairie grasses are two other sources being researched. I am not an expert but I hope my explanation gives some food for thought (no pun intended).
Very interesting post. I was actually doing some research on this topic today regarding ‘alternative fuels’. Get the word out as most consumers are unaware of the ‘technical’ aspects of what they are buying vs. the hype produced for it.
Great post!
A gallon of Ethanol yields less energy than a gallon of gasoline. Therefore, in terms of efficiency, Ethanol does not seem like the best option. Synthentic bio-fuel DMF, which is yet to be commercially produced has demonstrated higher energy yeild than Ethanol and is said to be easier to produce.