PRESS RELEASE (repost of ANL ethanol study report)
For Immediate Release
January 6, 1998
Contact: Mary Wertschnig
(202) 289-3835
NEW STUDY SHOWS ETHANOL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCES GREENHOUSE GASES, FOSSIL FUEL USE
35-46% Reductions in Greenhouse Gases; 50-60% Reductions in Fossil Energy
Washington, D.C. With increased attention focused on reducing greenhouse gases as a result of the Kyoto summit, Argonne National Laboratory
(ANL) has recently completed a study that demonstrates that the use of corn-based ethanol significantly reduces both greenhouse gas emissions
and fossil energy use.
The study, "Fuel-Cycle Fossil Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Fuel Ethanol Produced from U.S. Midwest Corn," concludes that on
a mass emission per travel mile basis, the use of corn ethanol in the form of either E85 (blend of 85% ethanol, 10% u nleaded gasoline) or E10
(blend of 10% ethanol, 90% unleaded gasoline) outperforms conventional and reformulated gasoline with respect to both fossil energy use and
greenhouse gas production. According to ANL, corn-based ethanol results in 50 to 60 percent reductions in fossil energy use and 35 to 46
percent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at ANL's Center for Transportation Research took into account the full fuel-cycle analysis for corn to ethanol production, which
includes corn farming (fertilizers, herbicide, pesticide and fuels), ethanol production, ethanol transportation and distribution, and ethanol
combustion in motor vehicles. The study focused on Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota, states which collectively account for about half the
total domestic corn harvest in a given year, about 90 percent of the U.S. total 1.58 billion gallon ethanol annual production capacity, and about 95
percent of total domestic ethanol production.
"This study clearly documents that ethanol, a domestically produced alternative to fossil fuels and imported oil, can and should be a part of any
solution to curb greenhouse gas emissions and global warming," said Eric Vaughn, President of the Renewable Fuels Association. "Ethanol is
effectively used today for its clean air benefits, and this study is a further testament to the much-needed environmental benefits that could be
achieved with expanded ethanol production and use." |
