Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources. At its most basic, ethanol is grain alcohol, produced from crops such as corn. 100% ethanol is not generally used as a motor fuel; instead, a percentage of ethanol is combined with unleaded gasoline. This is beneficial because the ethanol decreases the fuel's cost, increases the fuel's octane rating, and decreases gasoline's harmful emissions. Any amount of ethanol can be combined with gasoline, but the most common blends are E85 (85% ethanol/15% gas) and E10 (10% ethanol).

Economy & Job Creation Benefits

The production and use of ethanol benefits economies on all levels. From the local communities where the crops are grown and processed to the metropolitan areas where drivers fill up with a domestically produced fuel, ethanol propels economies.

In its 2002 U.S. study, AUS Consultants and SJH & Company found that:

With an approximate cost of $60 million for one year of construction, an ethanol plant expands the local economic base by $110 million each year.
Ethanol production will generate an additional $19.6 million in household income annually.
Tax revenue for local and state governments will increase by at least $1.2 million a year.
Nearly 700 permanent jobs will be created in the area near an ethanol plant.

Energy Security & Independence

Renewable ethanol directly displaces the need for imported crude oil, offering critically needed independence and security from the world’s limited oil supplies. In the United States, ethanol production capacity of 6 billion gallons per year can significantly reduce gasoline imports. According to the Energy Information Administration, the 7.5 billion gallon ethanol mandate set in the Renewable Fuels Standard could reduce oil consumption by 80,000 barrels per day.

Environment & Clean Air

Fossil fuel-based gasoline is the largest source of man-made carcinogens and the number one source of toxic emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Ethanol is a renewable, environmentally friendly fuel that is inherently cleaner than gasoline. Ethanol reduces harmful tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other ozone-forming pollutants. The use of ethanol-blended fuel helps reduce the environmental and economic impacts of gasoline consumption on our society.

Ethanol Clean Air Facts:

Ethanol blends are likely to reduce carbon monoxide emissions in vehicles by up to 30%, depending upon the combustion technology. (U.S. EPA)
The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago credits ethanol-blended fuel with reducing smog-forming emissions by 25% since 1990.
In 2004, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7 million tons, equal to removing the emissions of more than 1 million cars from the road. (Argonne National Lab)
Research shows a 35-46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 50-60% reduction in fossil energy use due to the use of ethanol as a motor fuel. (Argonne National Lab)
E85 has the highest oxygen content of any fuel available, causing E85 to burn more cleanly and cooler than any other fuel.
E85 contains 80% fewer gum-forming compounds than gasoline.
Ethanol is highly biodegradable, making it safer for the environment.

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