ANSC 351 V

September 24th, 2019

Ethanol Production

According to the article from the Alternative Fuels Data Center (2019) here in the U.S.

our gasoline contains approximately 98% of ethanol. The ration of the gasoline and ethanol

consists of 10% Ethanol and 90% gasoline which in the long run helps with pollution

(Alternative Fuel Data Center, 2019). Corn has been used throughout our history in so many

different ways such as food and supplies we use in our everyday lives. An article written by Ier

(2010) gives us only few examples like mayonnaise, soda and even pens and batteries are made

from corn. In this paper I will be giving examples from opposite sides involving the production

of ethanol as a good alternative source and the other being not such a good alternative source. I

will also explain why turning corn into fuel can be feasible without tax incentive. At the end I

will provide my own opinion as to what I think is the best choice for ethanol production.

In the article of Feo “Biofuels and Food Insecurity” (2010) they go against the use of

corn as ethanol use. The article explains that approximately 75% of federal spending comes from

the consumption of ethanol. 50% of the overall global corn exports come from the U.S alone

which means that is the prices might keep rising. The article also mentions that if that is so, it

will increase what they call the ‘food insecurity’ in other countries around the world who deeply

depend on corn and grains as imported goods (Feo, 2010). Ier’s article “Corn is for Food, Not

Fuel” (2010) mentions how farmers because of high tariffs are more prone to planting and

producing only corn rather than rotating to other crops. Which in history we have had quite the

encounters of soil quality being affected to the fact that farmers were not rotating their crops.
 On the other hand, stands Zoey Brooks, stating that we certainly make enough corn for

both usage of food and fuel, and even able to produce other byproducts (2014). She goes on to

further explain how the farmer do it by breaking down the field into three sections and each of its

importance: Feed (rich in protein), Ethanol (2.8 gallons/bushel yield) and last carbon dioxide

(beverages) (Brooks, 2014). At the end of her article she expresses that because of the use of

ethanol as fuel we consumers have been saving 29 cents per gallon since then. And because of

the increase in Ethanol plants, the market opportunities have increased helping family owned

farms stay in business.

After reading from both sides and their different points of view I only have one question

for Zoey (Pro for corn use as fuel). My question to her is, “You stated in your article that the

corn field could be divided into thirds. But if we only keep planting corn, would that affect the

soil quality and in the long term the quality of the corn?” And “You stated that we make enough

for even livestock feed, but since ethanol is made from biomass, do you think we could

potentially look for another alternative?”.

The reason why turning corn into fuel would not be feasible without a tax incentive is

because as stated in “Do the Math” by Elizaeth (2008) the U.S. government, for every gallon of

ethanol that the fuel companies mix with gasoline will get a 51-cent credit. Also mentioning that

the overall cost of corn ethanol productions burns equality as what it makes and possibly even

more when you get into much detail (Palmberg, 2008). Johnson and Runge also thought the same
thing and even called the government out stating that Brazil also produces as much ethanol in a

much cheaper way, but the government placed a 54-cent tariff for any imported ethanol (2007).

The total net energy used to generate fuel from corn according to the research done by

Paul, Winnie and Harry for the USDA, shows that the change may not be much although it is

improving by an input use of 2,010 BTU/gal (2016). Mentioned in their own words as “Overall

then, ethanol has made the transition from an energy sink, to a moderate net energy gain in the

1990s, to a substantial net energy gain in the present. And there are still prospects for

improvement.” (Gallagher, Yee and Baumes. USDA. Feb. 2016)

Looking over all the data I have collected, it is a bit hard to decide which side is the best

choice for our environment. Considering both sides have their own benefits, on the contrary side

like Ier said, our soil will be compromised. Going back to the possibility that corn demand will

increase forcing more and more corn growth and limiting crop rotation. Which will later on have

the effects on the soil making it less fertile for further production (Ier, 2010). On the pro side of

for corn, I do agree with Brooks that if we are able to make enough to feed our people, cattle and

even have left over for other supplies I don’t see why we can’t continue using it (Brooks, 2014).

I do have to be honest as to the fact that I don’t know, I could say yes, we should use to corn for

fuel, but I can also say no and be wrong. They are both as risky in their own ways because

whether we use it or not, it is affecting our environment but I do believe that as technology

grows we grow with it and we will do what is truly best and what is the safest for us as a country.
 References

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Ethanol Fuel Basics. U.S. Department of Energy, 2019 -

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Website:

https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_fuel_basics.html

Foe. 2010. Biofuels and Food Insecurity: U.S Ethanol Policy Fuels Global Hunger.

Website:

https://foe.org/resources/biofuels-and-food-insecurity-u-s-ethanol-policy-fuels-global-hunger/

Ier. 2010, November 30. Corn is For Food, Not Fuel. Website:

https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/uncategorized/corn-is-for-food-not-fuel/

Zoey Brooks. 2014, August 17. The Great Corn Debate: Food or Fuel? Website:

https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/opinion/2014/08/17/great-debate-corn-food-

fuel/14201557/

Natalie. 2016, September 15. Pros and Cons of Corn Ethanol. Website:

https://greengarageblog.org/8-pros-and-cons-of-corn-ethanol

Energy & Natural Resources. 2015, June 15th. Federal Subsidies for Corn Ethanol and

other Corn-based biofuels. Website:

https://www.taxpayer.net/energy-natural-resources/federal-subsidies-for-corn-ethanol-and-other-

corn-based-biofuels/

Palmberg, Elizabeth. “Do the Math.” Sojourners Magazine 27 Jan. 2008: 8-9. Academic

Search Complete. EBSCO. OSU Newark Campus Lib.,16 Apr. 2008. Website:

https://sojo.net/magazine/january-2008/do-math
 Johnson, Robbin S., and C. Ford Runge. “Ethanol: Train Wreck Ahead?” Issues in

Science & Technology 24 (2007): 25-30. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. OSU Newark

Campus Lib., Oh. 17 Apr. 2008. Website:

https://issues.org/p_johnson/

Paul W. Gallagher, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Iowa State

University. Winnie C. Yee, Chemical Engineer, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Crop

Conversion Science and Engineering Research Unit. Harry S. Baumes, Ph.D., Director, USDA,

Office of the Chief Economist, Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. “2015 Energy Balance

for the Corn-Ethanol Industry” February 2016. United Stated Department of Agriculture.

Website:

https://www.usda.gov/oce/reports/energy/2015EnergyBalanceCornEthanol.pdf