Ethanol

The More You Know...

The More You Will Want Us To Grow!

Never before in the history of the U.S. has energy security been a hotter topic.  And, never before has the nation's ability to produce an abundant supply of corn been so evident.  As ethanol demand grows, this fuel of the future can be made from many biomass sources and crop residue.  Ethanol is here today and for our future!

Despite its well documented benefits, there are still critics of ethanol.  To learn more about the real economics, and environmental contributions of ethanol, we encourage you to utilize the internet resources below.

Renewable Fuels Association - www.ethanolrfa.org

Ethanol Promotion & Information Council - www.drivingethanol.org

American Lung Association of Illinois - http://cleanairchoice.org/fuels/e85.cfm

Illinois Green Fleets - www.illinoisgreenfleets.org

University of Illinois Extension - http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/ethanol/default.cfm

Ethanol use has experienced tremendous growth

The growth is being driven by the fuel's many benefits as a renewable fuel.  Ethanol is domestically produced, creates a cleaner environment, and drives significant economic activity.  It also helps us reduce our reliance on imported oil.

One bushel of corn produces 2.8 gallons of ethanol in addition to several valuable food and feed co-products.  Using only the starch from the corn kernel, the production process results in vitamins, protein, corn oil and other by-products that can be used for food, feed and industrial use.

Ethanol can also be used in several forms to meet the needs of our mobile society.  A 10% blend of ethanol with gasoline is the most widely available blend.  E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, makes an excellent environmentally friendly fuel.  Ethanol's desirable characteristics assure its viability even as new engine technology is developed.

E10 - 10% Ethanol

• Every vehicle made in the U.S. today is designed to run on 10% ethanol.

• Ethanol is cost competitive and reduces our petroleum dependence.  More than 60% of our fuel needs are imported today.

• Cleaner burning ethanol cuts pollutants, including carbon dioxide, which aggravate Global Warming.  Numerous studies show ethanol produces a significant net energy gain compared to petroleum.

Some key facts about the benefits of American ethanol production:

• Using ethanol in place of gasoline helps to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 29% given today's technology. (link)

• The production and use of 6.5 billion gallons of ethanol in 2007 displaced 228 million barrels of imported oil valued at $16 billion. The use of 9 billion gallons of ethanol in 2008 will have displaced an even larger volume and created more impressive savings. (link)

• In 2009, the U.S. ethanol industry helped support nearly 400,000 jobs in all sectors of the economy. (link)

• A life cycle analysis of ethanol production - from the field to the vehicle - found that ethanol has a large and growing positive fossil energy balance. According to a 2004 U.S. Department of Agriculture Study, ethanol yields 67% more fossil energy than is used to grow and harvest the grain and process it into ethanol. (link)

• Water consumption at America's ethanol biorefineries decreased 26.6% from 2001 to 2006. (link)

• In 2009, ethanol contributed $53.3 billion to GDP, added $16 billion to household income, and displaced the need for 364 million barrels of oil.  And all this while generating revenue for the US Treasury! (link)

Illinois Ethanol Plants
For a list of Illinois producing ethanol plants and plants that are currently under construction, click here.   For a map showing where the plants are located, click here.   An interactive map of the United States and Canada can also be... More »

Ethanol Facts
    Ethanol offers a number of benefits to our cars, environment, our economy and our national security.  Here you can find the basics on America's clean-air, renewable fuel - as well as links you can visit for more detail. ... More »

University of Illinois Fact Sheets
The University of Illinois Extension office has some great information available for you on their website, here we highlight some on ethanol.     Ethanol:  What Is It? Where Does It Come From? How is it produced? and more... ... More »

Ethanol Fact Sheet
What is Ethanol?Ethanol is an alcohol made from renewable resources such as corn and other cereal grains, food and other beverage wastes and forestry by-products. Ethanol-blended fuel substantially reduces carbon monoxide and volatile organic compoun... More »