The Standard

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Matt Moore

In 2005, the United States passed the Energy Policy Act, which according to the American Coalition for Ethanol Web site is "the nation's first annual commitment to increasing the use of renewable fuels." This act includes a plan for ethanol and biofuel production for the next several years and was put into effect Sept. 1 of this year.

Ethanol used to be known as moonshine and is most widely made from corn, but can also be produced from soybeans, sugarcane, more recently switch grass and almost anything starch-based according to John Buchanan of Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Energy Center.

"It is projected that by 2011 the nation will be using 4 billion bushels of corn per year (for ethanol), which is double the amount we use now," said Abrindra Rimal, associate professor for the agriculture department at Missouri State. Buchanan said 20 percent of corn production last year went to ethanol.

The yellow vegetable prices have increased dramatically as companies move in to the "modern gold rush" of corn production.

"This phenomenon will not last, however," said Rimal, "Partly due to the technology that will allow alternative materials to be used for ethanol, and partly because the society has to decide whether we are ready to give up food for fuel."

Though Henry Ford began running the Model-T vehicle off of ethanol, a switch was made as crude oil and gasoline became available.

"That's where the saying: Drink the best, burn the rest comes from," Buchanan said. All cars of today can run from a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline called E-10, but only Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) can run of the blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

In 2006 there were six million FFVs on American roads using approximately 70 million gallons of E-85 fuel according to the Midwestern Governors Association's 2007 biofuels checklist. The E-85 fuel was only available in 1,000 gas stations in 2006.

The number of gas stations providing E-85 fuel appears to be on the rise while companies take advantage of different tax incentives and tax credits Buchanan said. Currently, there are 12 gas stations within 100 miles of Springfield that provide 85% ethanol. Express Lane Inc. employee Alice Whitman said they have been offering E-85 fuel for a few weeks now, but it is important to be sure the vehicle is E-85 compatible before fueling up. On Wednesday morning the newly available E-85 fuel was 35 cents cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline.

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