Lekeisha Mitchell
Eng 102
Howell T/TH

Is Ethanol the New Fuel of Tomorrow?

If you’re like me, the prices at the pumps have probably got you ready to trade in your car keys for a helmet, knee pads, and reflectors. Since the beginning of the current term, our fearless leader has repeatedly reminded us that we must no longer be dependent on foreign oil. I don’t know about you, but to me that sounds like we’re addicts who’ve just missed a few steps of the 12-step program. He talks as though we have a choice in the matter. Is there an alternative fuel that would no longer force billions of Americans to have to choose between feeding their family a healthy meal or having a ride to work? Would you give it a go? Well, let me be the first to tell you that everything that glitters isn’t gold. As with any and everything, there are pros and cons of alternative fuel.
At the risk of sounding like my mother: remember way back when the price of a gallon of unleaded fuel cost the same as an item on McDonald’s Value Menu, when you could literally pay for gas from the change in your couch cushions? Those were the days. Unfortunately, nowadays, you’d have to dig in all of your friends’ cushions, and you would still have to sell a pint of blood just to have gas for the week. And at the risk of sounding like my mom yet again: I never thought I would see the day when the cost of a gallon of milk and the cost of a gallon of gas would be running a tight race--and in some parts of the country--the gas is winning. For the past few years, the main topic at every dinner table, every water cooler, and every grocery line has been the drastic change in fuel prices. You are probably wondering what has been done to make this a thing of the past? You might think not much--and under the current circumstances--that would appear to be the case. Well, to my understanding, there is a light--no matter how far up ahead--at the end of the tunnel.
Fortunately, there is an alternative fuel; help is on the way. Members of the Renewable Fuels Association believe that help comes in the form of a corn-based fuel…better known as ethanol. I’m sure you have heard all about it and know that auto makers like GM, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, and Nissan have pledged to increase production of flexible-fuel vehicles. Well, here are some other things you may or may not know about this biofuel: one, it is derived from corn--which as we all know--is grown right here in the United States, two, it is a renewable fuel source, and three, it is a cleaner-burning fuel. Allow me to explain why these could all be our advantage.
First, because corn is grown here, ethanol can be produced here, and in some of the Midwestern states, it already is. Producing ethanol here reduces our dependency on foreign oil. That means we will no longer be driving under the influence, so to speak. The process of producing ethanol requires much effort but is beneficial in a number of ways. Ethanol can be made in two ways: dry milling and wet milling. In the process of producing ethanol through dry milling(method of grinding corn kernel into flour and adding water), producers use the stillage (waste) for livestock feed. During the fermentation process, carbon dioxide is produced, which can be used in carbonated water. In the process of producing ethanol through wet milling (method of soaking corn kernel in water and sulfuric acid, called germ), starch is fermented to produce ethanol or turned into corn starch. Other parts, such as corn oil is used in food production and the heavy steep water is used in livestock feed, and when mixed with other ingredients is used to remove ice from the roads. So the next time a big snow storm comes, maybe you’ll think of our good friend Mr. Ethanol.
Next, it is a renewable source for obvious reasons, one being that corn has been around for centuries and will probably always be that way. Another reason it is a renewable source is cellulose, which is an abundant source found in all plants. Many former skeptics have jumped on board the ethanol train, due to the introduction of cellulosic ethanol. “Cellulosic ethanol contains more varieties of plant matter, which has the potential to be energy efficient” (“Ethanol Fuel,” para. 32). Incidentally, it can be found in wild plants, such as switch grass, a crop that grows on its own throughout large parts of the country. This tells me that we will never be in short supply of fuel, if we take the cellulosic approach.
Finally, ethanol is a better choice than gasoline because it burns cleaner. According to Senator Tim Johnson, “Ethanol is a cleaner-burning fuel when compared to gasoline.”(Shouse para. 3). The main focus in An Inconvenient Truth was global warming and “the effects we as Americans have on the environment, caused mainly by high amounts of greenhouse gases--one in particular--carbon dioxide(CO2)” (Gore 28). According to Gore, “Some amounts of CO2 are beneficial, but too much creates dangerous changes in climate…” (28). According to Gore and other protestors of global warming, when this happens, disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and/or melting ice glaciers occur. The melting glaciers can cause entire cities to be under water. This harmful gas is given off by burning fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) usually in our homes, cars, factories. Ethanol bio-refiners claim that the use of ethanol shows reduced emissions of greenhouse gases. “Cellulosic ethanol is believed to be more efficient and environmentally friendlier…since it can be made using less energy to grow the plants from which it is derived” (“Ethanol Fuel,” para. 32). Less energy means less carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, as well as less money and time spent on growing this plant capable of producing this miracle fuel. Wow, cellulosic ethanol sounds like the answer to all of our fuel problems. Well, before you run out and trade in that Stinkin’ Lincoln for a Honda Hybrid, let me give you the down side of making ethanol our primary fuel source.
While anyone that does not work for or have invested stock in petroleum-based fuel would love to see a change in gas prices or the environment, I’m not so sure ethanol is the way to go. Critics of ethanol say it is not energy efficient, and that it requires more energy than it produces. Critics also say producing ethanol creates pollution. While these are just speculations, there is a growing concern that ethanol may consume too many agricultural resources in the U.S. If this happens, ethanol producers will be cutting into crops needed for food. “A 2005 study by David Pimentel of Cornell University and Tad Patza of the University of California at Berkeley, found that ethanol requires 29% more energy to produce than it provides” (“Ethanol Fuel,” para. 32). They argue that fossils fuel, such as oil and gas are not only depleted. They claim that the tractors used to grow the corn, the trucks used to transport it, and the natural gas used to cook the corn only contribute to pollution. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out this is a true statement, but doesn’t nearly everything we do nowadays pollutes the air in some way?
Moreover, ethanol production is being blamed for higher food prices. Corn prices have soared in the past decade, upsetting the food chain. There is a concern that if the majority of corn grown in the U.S. is used for the purpose of fuel, there will be a shortage of corn for consumption. As you know, corn kernels provide us with many delicious products, such as corn tortillas, beer, syrup, oil, starch, carbonated beverages--and the ever popular--popcorn, and many more. While these items are not necessities, they would certainly be missed if they were no longer around for our enjoyment.
Incidentally, I have read a couple of articles about flex-fuel vehicle owners, who seem to think they must refuel more often since the conversion from gasoline-fuel only vehicles to flex-fuel vehicles. According to the Department of Energy, “Automobile engines burn in average 1.4 times as much E85 as straight gasoline, for every mile driven” (“Ethanol Fuel,” para. 33). I have, on the contrary, spoken with friends of flex-fuel vehicles who feel just the opposite. They seem to think they fuel less. I guess I will never know, unless I purchase one of these vehicles myself. However, in my opinion, if fuel costs less than the current price of gasoline and aides the environment more, I am all for it.
As you can see from this essay, alternative fuel is just that…an alternative. Ethanol is just one alternative fuel; there are countless others, such as biodiesel, hydrogen, or algae. But no matter what we choose, there will always be drawbacks. As long as there are people on this earth, we’re going to have pollution. As long as people keep reproducing, we’re going to have food shortages. And as long as we have motorized vehicles, we’re going to have fuel issues. As far as the use and production of ethanol, I say if the good outweighs the bad--as ethanol appears to--then go for it. If the primary source of vehicle fuel is to blame for the current state our environment is in, surely ethanol couldn’t make it any worse.