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A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
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Dr. Matthew Roberts, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, The Ohio State University
It seems that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon about U.S. production of ethanol emerging as a significant player in reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil.`
Just January 10, the largest producer of biofuels in the world, Sioux Falls-based POET, opened Ohio's first ethanol plant in Leipsic in Putnam County. Welcomed by local politicians, Ohio corn growers, the Governor and many others, the plant is expectd to produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year consuming 22 million bushels of presumably Ohio corn. At the plant's grand opening, POET CEO Jeff Broin said, "We are proud to be here today doing everything in our power to move our nation away from Middle-East oil and toward Midwest ethanol."
Governor Strickland added, "This increased production of ethanol in Ohio replaces millions of barrels of imported oil with domestic renewable energy. It's crucial that Ohio foster advanced, reliable and affordable energy sources. . ."
But not everyone is convinced. A recent editorial by Ben Lieberman, senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation says this: "Another dumb Washington solution to expensive gasoline is even more expensive ethanol. Though ethanol is cheaper per gallon, right now, when you take everything into account - ethanol's lousier fuel economy and the logistical costs of mixing it into the fuel supply --- it adds to the pain at the pump."
Countless articles tout ethanol from corn, switch grass and other alternatives at 10%, 15% or even higher blends with gasoline. Others pooh-pooh ethanol as just another fad in the long list of energy fixes.
So what should we, the average American consumer, believe? As part of CMC and Battelle's Fueling Ohio's Future series, Dr. Roberts will help CMC audience sort out The Truth About Ethanol.
It seems that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon about U.S. production of ethanol emerging as a significant player in reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil.`
Just January 10, the largest producer of biofuels in the world, Sioux Falls-based POET, opened Ohio's first ethanol plant in Leipsic in Putnam County. Welcomed by local politicians, Ohio corn growers, the Governor and many others, the plant is expectd to produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year consuming 22 million bushels of presumably Ohio corn. At the plant's grand opening, POET CEO Jeff Broin said, "We are proud to be here today doing everything in our power to move our nation away from Middle-East oil and toward Midwest ethanol."
Governor Strickland added, "This increased production of ethanol in Ohio replaces millions of barrels of imported oil with domestic renewable energy. It's crucial that Ohio foster advanced, reliable and affordable energy sources. . ."
But not everyone is convinced. A recent editorial by Ben Lieberman, senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation says this: "Another dumb Washington solution to expensive gasoline is even more expensive ethanol. Though ethanol is cheaper per gallon, right now, when you take everything into account - ethanol's lousier fuel economy and the logistical costs of mixing it into the fuel supply --- it adds to the pain at the pump."
Countless articles tout ethanol from corn, switch grass and other alternatives at 10%, 15% or even higher blends with gasoline. Others pooh-pooh ethanol as just another fad in the long list of energy fixes.
So what should we, the average American consumer, believe? As part of CMC and Battelle's Fueling Ohio's Future series, Dr. Roberts will help CMC audience sort out The Truth About Ethanol.
January 23, 2008