Expansion of Corn-based Ethanol Under Consideration

With the threat of global warming, further regional instability in the middle east, and politicians and industry looking for ways to promote economic and agricultural growth, discussion is underway in Washington to expand the use of ethanol blend fuels. However, new concerns have been raised over the environmental impact and ultimate benefit of the switch to bio-fuels by analysts including the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Within the last week the EPA has announced its intent to move forward with an expansion of the ethanol fuel program. Many recent studies have pointed to the shortcomings of improperly implemented bio-fuel programs and the detrimental environmental impact that they bring. A recent European study, for instance, has shown that losses due to deforestation caused by habitat loss and other ill effects due to agricultural expansion and increased production would negatively impact the environment. Further, many automobiles are not rated or ready to handle fuels with the level of ethanol proposed. Consumers who use this new fuel in vehicles not built to accommodate such fuel would accidentally void their engine’s warranty.

The Union of Concerned Scientists opposes this expansion of corn-based ethanol. Click on the links below to learn more about this issue..

For more information check out:
http://usclimatenetwork.org/resource-database/end_ucs.pdf/view
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/technologies_and_fuels/biofuels/E15-request.html
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=57209&CultureCode=en
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/smartbioenergy.html
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/additive.htm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123993106781727761.html#mod=loomia?loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r2:c0.042875:b23939156