Pros And Cons Of Ethanol In America

Abstract

This paper analyzes the pros and cons of the use of ethanol in America’s gasoline. It highlights the major downfalls and improvements that come from Ethanol as well as the economic and domestic advantages of ethanol production. It explains the history of ethanol’s use in america as well as its development and subsequent use in fuel. It also explains through credible sources how ultimately ethanol’s advantages far outweigh its drawbacks. Ethanol is already widely used in most gasoline its time the american public is made aware of its advantages.

Ethanol: The Biofuel of Tomorrow Today

The production of ethanol in america has increased 850% in the last 10 years(source). This has had an substantial effect on the cost of

When your child flips over their new Hot Wheels car what do you expect to see? Made in China or Taiwan maybe? One thing is for certain it won't say Made in America.

Most Americans think the same thing when they are filling up their cars, save change China or Taiwan to Kuwait and Syria. However that assumption is wrong especially when taking into consideration ethanol production. As of 2010 approximately 90% of gasoline sold in the united states contains ethanol. In 2005 the United States became the largest producer of ethanol in the world. In 2010 it became totally independent of foreign ethanol (The History of Ethanol in America 2013 p. 2).

(U.S Department of Energy 2014)

The increased use and production of ethanol in the United states has led to “86,504 direct jobs in renewable fuel production and agriculture in the U.S., as well as 300,277 indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy” (Renewable Fuels Association 2014 p.1). Opponents of ethanol yield that more jobs in America is ultimately favorable, however many state the incorrect assumption that these jobs are low paying and remedial. According to the Renewable Fuels Association 46% of all people employed under the umbrella of ethanol make more than $75,000 a year, while 45% make between 75,000 and $45,000, in fact only 9% make less than $45,000 a year (see appendix

When burning gasoline oxygen is paramount to creating a more efficient reaction, the more oxygen the more efficient the gasoline burns. Ethanol is 35% oxygen because of this the gasoline burns cleaner and reduces tailpipe emissions. Ethanol is also a high octane fuel. Before ethanol’s re-introduction to gasoline other toxic octane booster were used such as benzene which is a carcinogen. On top of being safer ethanol is sulfur free which lowers Carbon Dioxide emissions (Renewable Fuels Association para.1). Ethanols most important impact on the environment is its ability to reduce carbon monoxide and other pollutants such as hydrocarbon particulates. These pollutants are known as Haps (Hazardous Air Pollutants) out of all the emissions released from burning gasoline these are the most dangerous to human beings (Renewable Fuels Association