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Ethanol
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 Ethanol, a renewable alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels, is a type of alcohol produced by fermenting and distilling simple sugars from biological sources. While ethanol can be made from sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, barley, potatoes, and many other crops, over 90 percent of U.S.-produced ethanol is currently made from corn.
Newer manufacturing processes allow ethanol to be made from cellulosic feedstocks, such as agricultural waste, forest residue and municipal solid waste. While not yet widely commercialized, these processes are currently the subject of intensive scientific research and speculation.
Many farmers are already selling corn for ethanol production, while others are part-owners in ethanol plants. As cellulose-based ethanol becomes a reality, new markets will emerge for crop residues as well as energy crops like switchgrass. Many challenges will also emerge for truly sustainable ethanol production, including protecting soil and water quality and preserving opportunities for local ownership.
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ATTRA Publications
Success Stories
Minnesota Community Uses USDA Grant to Build Ethanol Plant
Ethanol Cooperative Boosts Rural Community’s Economy
Wisconsin Ethanol Plant Produces 50 Million Gallons Annually
Entrepreneurs Turn Ethanol Production Waste into Livestock Feed
Ethanol Links
Organizations
Ethanol Promotion and Information Council
Includes an introduction to ethanol fuel and links to news articles.
Renewable Fuels Association
Information about the ethanol industry, public policy initiatives, and an ethanol resources center, from the national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry.
The American Coalition for Ethanol
Information on the American ethanol industry, ethanol-related public policy, news, and announcements.
Biomass Energy Research Association
An association of biofuel researchers, companies, and advocates, BERA promotes education and research on renewable biomass energy and waste-to-energy systems.
Biobased Information Systems
A gateway to commercial information about bioproducts, biofuels, and bioenergy. News articles are searchable by keyword or date.
Clean Fuels Development Coalition
General information, news, event announcements, and legislative goals.
Corn Refiners Association
The national trade association representing the corn refining industry, CRA provides information on corn refining processes, products, statistics, publications, links, and recent news articles.
Ethanol Producer Magazine
The major trade publication for the ethanol industry.
Ethanol Market
A private LLC company, Ethanol Market provides current information on commodity prices—including corn, petroleum, sugar and ethanol—as well as related news, links, events, and (for subscribers) market research reports.
General Motors: Live Green, Go Yellow
This General Motors website offers information on E85 ethanol fuel, including GM vehicles that are E85-capable.
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition
An advocacy group promoting the use of E85, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition website offers news, events, funding opportunities, legislative efforts, and a general introduction to E85.
Government Sites
Governors’ Ethanol Coalition
Includes information on state and federal ethanol programs, news releases, publications, and links.
Alternative Fuels Data Center: Ethanol
This U.S. Department of Energy website gives a general overview of the ethanol industry, with information, publications, and links about production, markets, energy balance, incentives, and laws.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Biofuels Information
This U.S. Department of Agriculture website is mainly an in-depth links directory, including biofuel production, crops, markets, and other economic research.
Bioenergy Web Site
This USDA Farm Service Agency website seeks to expand industrial consumption of agricultural commodities by promoting their use in production of bioenergy (ethanol and biodiesel).
The Sun Grant Initiative
A national network of land-grant universities and U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, the Sun Grant Initiative is devoted to building a bio-based economy, including research, higher education, and Extension programs.
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Last Updated December 28, 2007
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