Ethanol Helps Cut Imports of Foreign Oil
by Merle Anderson (Grand Forks Herald) …Basically, three types of energy are used to produce ethanol: natural gas, electricity and fossil fuel. Most of the energy used to produce ethanol comes from natural gas and electricity.
By using natural gas and electricity, we simply are engaging in domestic commerce. That’s only good for the country.
So, how much fossil fuel are we investing in ethanol production, and what are we getting for it? Let’s go to the cornfield and see how it plays out.
One acre of corn produces 165 bushels (2009 national average).
We get 2.7 gallons from each bushel of corn.
Multiply 165 by 2.7, and you get 445.5 gallons of ethanol per acre.
Now, consider that five gallons of fossil fuel per acre are used in traditional farming practices such as planting, harvesting, transportation and so on
Divide 445 gallons by five, and you get 89 gallons of ethanol per acre.
Conclusion: 89 gallons of ethanol are produced for every gallon of fossil fuel consumed.
…And keep in mind that ethanol production only uses the starch while all the other nutrients remain in our food supply.
We in agriculture can play a huge role to help our economic problem, create jobs and keep our money in our nation’s heartland, instead of sending money to countries that support terrorism or terrorist acts.
The Blend Your Own program started by the American Coalition for Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association is working on getting more blender pumps installed across the country. If you see one in your neighborhood, please make use of it. READ MORE
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