Production & Value

Ethanol is an "alternative" energy source. At least, that is what many people are saying. I, however, believe it takes at least as much, if not more, energy to produce ethanol as it provides, and if not, the effect on the environment is still unimproved. If it were truly "alternative", it would be completely independent of fossil fuels. We currently can't make ethanol with out using oil, or coal. How are the machines that plant and harvest the corn powered? How are the vehicles that transport the corn to production, and then distribute the ethanol, fueled? What about the milling process?

So the question is: Do we really gain anything through the production and use of ethanol? Some think converting to ethanol is one of the best things we can do. David Lorenz and David Morris, authors of the report "How Much Energy Does It Take to Make a Gallon of Ethanol?", state in their report: "Our analysis again concludes that the production of ethanol from corn is a positive net energy generator. Indeed, the numbers look even more attractive now(1995) than they did in 1992. More energy is contained in the ethanol and the other by-products of corn processing than is used to grow the corn and convert it into ethanol and by-products. If corn farmers use state-of-the-art, energy efficient farming techniques and ethanol plants integrate state-of-the-art production processes, then the amount of energy contained in a gallon of ethanol and the other by-products is more than twice the energy used to grow the corn and convert it into ethanol." The key in that is using "state-of-the-art, energy efficient techniques". Ideally, that would be wonderful, but currently it is not a reality, and until people are willing to invest in making production more energy efficient, the net energy value can't be as great as Morris and Lorenz claim.
Others believe that while the net energy value may be positive (meaning ethanol is worth more energy than it takes to produce), it still doesn't help reduce the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing usage of corn ethanol would not lower environmental damages.
All things considered, corn ethanol isn't worth the time, energy, and money that could be put towards alternative energy research and applications.

Ethanol & Energy Today

Sadly, it seems people are more interested in what's happening to their favorite pop star than they are about what's happening in our world. A 'sign of the times', I'm sure. However, anyone paying even the slightest bit of attention to real news has most likely heard of ethanol. "Yes," you're thinking, "I've heard of it, but what exactly is it and how does it affect me?"
Simply put, ethanol is an alternative fuel to petroleum, made from corn in the United States(though it can be made from other plants, corn is currently the most used here).
Ethanol is by no means a "new" thing-- it's been produced for years. The reason it's "in" at the moment is that people are becoming more aware. Aware that oil is expensive, and taking more than just a pretty penny out of their pockets. Aware that consumption is on the rise, while resources remain finite. Aware that our world is changing, as a result of our careless behavior.
What it means to you is certainly not so easily defined. Do you take responsibility for your contribution and realize you need to help find a solution, or do you deny that global warming is even occurring?
If you've an educated mind, following simple facts, you realize energy is in fact a problem. Now, the question remains: What do we do about it? Cease petroleum consumption? Use alternative energy sources?
I plan to explore different aspects of this issue in further posts.