Research shows that ethanol made from corn has a worse effect on global warming than gasoline
Corn-based ethanol is mixed with the U.S. gasoline supply to reduce transportation-related emissions, but a new study suggests that ethanol may be more harmful to the environment than straight gasoline.
The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencescontradicts previous research commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that concluded on ethanol and other biofuels provide greenhouse gas benefits to fossil fuels, Reuters noted.
Partially funded by the National Wildlife Federation and the US Department of Energy, the study found that ethanol uses at least 24% more carbon than gasoline due to emissions from land use and changes in carbon emissions. changes to corn farming, as well as the emissions from production and combustion that come with any liquid carbon-based fuel.
Large Square Baler Harvesting Wheat Straw For Cellulose Ethanol Production
After the federal government began encouraging ethanol production under the Renewable Fuels Standard in 2008, the price of corn rose 30 percent, while the price of other crops increased 20 percent, according to the study. This leads to increased farming, which requires more land use.
According to the study, ethanol-based crop production also leads to a reduction in water quality and increases the national annual fertilizer intake by 3 to 8 percent. The study found that adding nitrogen-based fertilizers increased nitrogen oxide (N2O) emissions by 8.3%.
Renewable fuel standards always a compromiseessentially pitted the corn states and oil industry lobbyists against each other, and took shape at a time when mass-market electric cars seemed unlikely.
FlexFuel badge on 2009 Chevrolet HHR supports E85
U.S. automakers advocate promoting so-called “flexible” vehicles that run on regular gasoline, or E85, a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline (as opposed to the E10 or E15 blends that most often use. all types of cars run on). But that became a little boondoggleand now many of the same automakers are committing to a full line of electric vehicles.
Studies have long shown that the fortification of ethanol in gasoline can contribute to smoke – so some states reduce the amount of ethanol mixing during the summer months.
However, to date no consistent effort has been made to review ethanol policy.
Presentation GM E85
The Trump administration is inconsistent on ethanol – calling it subsidy-based at first, then getting into it with a huge bailout.
Under Trump, the EPA also studied a reduce the amount of ethanol in gasoline. Biofuels policy is currently under review by the Biden administration, Reuters noted.
Is ethanol a distraction from green energy priorities or does it still have a place in energy policy? Let us know what you think.
