Jul 19, 2005 9:56 am US/Central
Study: Ethanol Not Worth The Energy
Amelia Santaniello
Reporting
Save It Email It Print It
(WCCO) A major study from Cornell University released Monday said ethanol is not worth the energy, and recommends wind power is where people should look for an alternative energy source.
That comes as shocking news to a corn-growing, ethanol-producing state such as Minnesota, leaving some to wonder if the billion-dollar ethanol business is in trouble after years to trading oil barrels for bushels of corn.
Ethanol is an additive made from corn to reduce auto emissions, but a new study said it is not worth the effort. Cornell University researchers claim Americans would be better off investing in other energy sources including solar or wind power.
"So, it doesn't surprise me because it takes a lot to grow corn," said former State Rep. Kathleen Vellenga.
Vellenga supported early ethanol legislation, but said if she were in office today, things would be different.
"But right now we're propping up what used to be the family farm and now is, unfortunately big acreages owned by business," Vellenga said.
The researchers at Cornell claim 70 percent more energy is required to produce ethanol than the energy that actually is in ethanol. The growers and processors cannot afford to burn ethanol to make ethanol.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture disagrees with the study.
"The (United States Department of Agriculture) believes there is a net gain of 67 percent energy and that is a trend over the last few years," said Perry Aaness with the Minnesota Agriculture Department.
Minnesota has 13 ethanol producing plants and plans to add three more. The deputy commissioner of agriculture said he is surprised by the report, but stands by the quality and efficiency of the alternative fuel.
If you pump gasoline in Minnesota, you are pumping at least a 10 percent mix of ethanol.
Minnesota subsidizes corn growers, which Cornell researchers said is a problem because it results in higher prices for meat, milk and eggs.
