Renewable Fuels Association Publishes 2010 Ethanol Industry Outlook
Our industry produced a record 10.6 billion gallons of ethanol in 2009. Efficiency enhancements and innovations in production combined with improved farming techniques allowed us to achieve this record with existing corn acreage and reduced process water.
As we look to the future, the industry faces challenges that can be turned into opportunity with hard work and cooperation. The industry will continue to be challenged by efforts to regulate carbon and account for land use change. With the facts on our side, these efforts can easily become our opportunities. Ethanol’s carbon footprint is improving with every new plant and each new technology brought into commercial application. The same cannot be said for petroleum and other fossil fuels. Their carbon footprint worsens with every new well drilled deeper in the Gulf and each new gallon scraped from tar sands.
Expanding ethanol use is critical to future growth. We must agree that all blend levels need to be part of the equation. Growing market opportunities for ethanol will require increasing the amount of ethanol blended in conventional gasoline as well as the expansion of higher level blends through the use of blender pumps.
Greater market opportunity for ethanol is critical to the future viability and ultimate success of our industry. Even in the most challenging of years, this industry has continued its progressive march to the future.
In every corner of the country, new technologies are improving the production process and expanding the basket of feedstocks from which ethanol is made. New co-products, improved efficiencies, and diverse feedstocks from woodchips to sugar waste to garbage are opening new doors and greater opportunity for scores of communities all across the country.
All in all, the continued evolution of America’s ethanol industry is good news. It means more jobs creating renewable sources of energy. It means fewer greenhouse gases and a ready tool to address climate concerns. It means we can finally tell petro-dictators, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Download report
