As the world becomes increasingly conscious of the harmful effects of greenhouse gasses and fossil-fuel industries, it turned to biofuels and renewable energy to tackle an exacerbating problem. But, what if some of these “solutions” were not sufficiently studied before it was implemented? Well, researchers can vouch for one thing – corn-based ethanol turned into gasoline is not the “solution” we seek.
In 2007, the US Congress mandated the blending of biofuels such as corn-based ethanol into gasoline. What we know now, over a decade later could well make our head spin. No, literally. America’s ethanol plants produce more than double the climate-changing pollution of traditional oil refiners, according to a study of federal data by Reuters.
Ethanol – A Pollutant in Disguise
In 2020, an average ethanol plant put out 1,187 metric tons of carbon emissions per million gallons of fuel capacity. In comparison, an average oil refinery only produced 533 metric tons of carbon.
Academics and researchers who studied the data available pointed out that this is mainly due to ethanol plants being allowed to sidestep a key regulation of 2007. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires individual ethanol processors to prove that their fuels result in lower carbon emission than gasoline.
Early this year, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that ethanol is a greater contributor to pollution than gasoline. Dr Tyler Lark, assistant scientist at University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment and lead author of the study, shared, “Corn ethanol is not a climate-friendly fuel.” The researchers found that ethanol is more carbon-intensive than gasoline. The research, which was partly funded by the National Wildlife Federation and US Department of Energy, contradicts the findings of a study commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Furthermore, a 2019 study by the USDA found that ethanol’s carbon-intensity was 39% lower than gasoline while Dr Lark’s research points out that ethanol is 24% more carbon-intensive than gasoline. This is mainly due to procedures on land used to grow corn, along with other processes and combustion.
The EPA and Ethanol Regulations
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) writes out regulations that will help Congress meet its goals. The EPA requires that plants use certain emission-control processes so that it results in overall emissions that are lower than gasoline-produced emissions. However, as the agency has excused over 95% of US-based ethanol plants from following the stringent protocols due to a grandfathering provision, it has resulted in the law being rendered nearly useless.
While some of the exempted plants produce less pollution, some of the worst offenders more than make up for the difference with their high emissions. The Reuter’s analysis reveals that the plants, which were granted the exemption, produced, on average 40% more pollution per gallon of fuel capacity.
The EPA is expected to look into the rising problem and propose regulatory changes by the end of this year. In response to Reuters’ findings, the EPA acknowledged that ethanol plants can be polluting but maintained that it is the cleaner option overall. It promoted ethanol as a renewable fuel that has helped commerce and industry – by creating multiple jobs and diversifying the nation’s energy supply.
Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) echoed the EPA’s sentiments, telling Reuters, “Ethanol offers a significant and immediate carbon savings.” In the past, he had called Dr Lark’s study “completely fictional and erroneous.” Notably, the RFA is known for lobbying for the adoption of ethanol.
Although ethanol burns cleaner in cars, researchers have found that its gains are offset by the pollution created from planting corn and the processes required to turn it into fuel. Academic and governmental research to assess the overall cost and carbon generated involved in the production of ethanol have so far thrown up contrasting findings.
