On this Page:

State by State Ethanol Guide
Ethanol and Pump Prices
Renewable Fuels Standard
Energy Balance of Ethanol
Ethanol and the Economy
Ethanol and the Environment
Ethanol and Health
Ethanol and Vehicle Performance
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
The Real Cost of Oil 
Efficiency of Ethanol Production Facilities 
Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Biofuels & Low Carbon Fuel Standard

STATUS: 2007   

• The American Coalition for Ethanol annually publishes a State-by-State Ethanol Handbook, a 50-state reference guide featuring information about ethanol production, use, public policies, and state regulations affecting the U.S. ethanol industry.

Ethanol and Consumer Food Prices 

• USDA-DOE analysis of biofuels' role in food and fuel markets: June 2008.  Agency analysis of market data shows that biofuels-related feedstock demand is responsible for only 3-4 percent of the increase in food prices.
• Analysis of Potential Causes of Consumer Food Price Inflation: Informa Economics, December 2007. Statistical evidence does not support a conclusion that growth in the ethanol industry is driving consumer food prices higher. More than 80% of the cost of food comes from the "marketing bill," not from on-farm costs.
• Retail Realities - Corn Prices Do Not Drive Grocery Inflation: Food & Water Watch, Sept. 2007. Although corn prices have risen over the past year in part as a result to ethanol demand, the correlation between crop prices and retail grocery prices remains elusive. Food and meat processors are using the ethanol smokescreen to justify grocery price increases that are unlikely to decline when corn's historically volatile price falls.
• The Relative Impact of Corn and Energy Prices in the Grocery Aisle: LECG, LLC, June 2007.  This research finds that energy prices have at least twice the impact on grocery prices as does an equivalent increase in corn prices. If consumers paid an additional $10 for groceries due to corn, at the same time they'd pay an additional $20-$30 for energy costs.

Ethanol and Pump Prices

• Impact of Ethanol on World Oil Demand and Prices: LECG, May 2008.  If ethanol were not available for use, the world's refiners would need an additional 1.9 million barrels of oil per day; if ethanol were removed from the world supply, oil prices would increase by an estimated 27.5%.
• The Impact of Ethanol Production on U.S. and Regional Gasoline Prices and on the Profitability of the U.S. Oil Refinery Industry: Iowa State University, April 2008.  Growth in ethanol production between 1995-2007 has caused retail gas prices to be 29 to 40 cents lower per gallon than would otherwise have been the case.
• Rising Gasoline Prices: Why can't consumers catch a break?: Consumer Federation of America, March 2008.  This research discusses the important role ethanol plays in reducing escalating prices at the pump and helping to keep them lower than they would be without domestic energy production.
• Big Oil vs. Ethanol - The Consumer Stake in Expanding the Production of Liquid Fuels: Consumer Federation of America, July 2007.  Big Oil's threats to offset increases in ethanol production with cutbacks in refinery expansions are serious and demonstrate its unchallenged market power and ability to limit competition.
• Why $3.50 Gas?: Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, April 2006.
• Over a Barrel: Why aren't oil companies using ethanol to lower pump prices?: Consumer Federation of America, May 2005.  This research found that ethanol-blended fuel could save consumers as much as eight cents per gallon at the retail level.  Oil companies sometimes pass up ethanol, ignoring its cost-effectiveness and relying on higher priced crude oil and imported gasoline.

Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS)

• Impact of Waiving the RFS on Retail Gasoline Prices: LECG, May 2008.  A 50% waiver of the RFS, as proposed by the Texas Gov., would result in a short-term increase in retail gas prices of 31%, or about a $1.14 per gallon increase.
• Economic Impact of an 8 Billion Gallon Renewable Fuels Standard: LECG, May 2005. An 8 billion gallon RFS was examined to gauge its potential economic impacts. The RFS passed in the energy bill calls for 7.5 billion gallons annually by 2012.
• Consumer Impacts of a Renewable Fuels Standard: LEGC, May 2003. This report analyzes how the establishment of a nationwide RFS would affect consumers and shows that adding ethanol to our gasoline pool could reduce the cost of gasoline to consumers by 6.6 cents per gallon.

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Energy Balance of Ethanol

• 2008 Energy Balance for the Corn-Ethanol Industry: U.S. Department of Agriculture, June 2010. An updated report finds that ethanol produced in the U.S. has a positive energy balance of 1 to 2.3 units of energy.
• Net Energy Balance of Ethanol Derived from Switchgrass: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. This five-year study of "actual farms" was the first of its kind. The study finds that ethanol derived from switchgrass produces 540% more energy than is consumed to make it, that the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from switchgrass ethanol are 94% lower than gasoline, and much more.
• Journal Science Ethanol Energy Balance Report: January 2006.
• Net Energy Balance of Ethanol: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005. This most recent study by the USDA finds ethanol's energy balance to be positive - an average 67% more energy in a gallon of ethanol than it takes to produce it.
• MSU Ethanol Energy Balance Study: Michigan State University, May 2002. This comprehensive, independent study funded by MSU shows that there is 56% more energy in a gallon of ethanol than it takes to produce it.
• How Much Energy Does It Take to Make a Gallon of Ethanol: The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, August 1995. This research finds that if farmers use 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 in the process.

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Ethanol and the Economy

• Importance of the VEETC to the U.S. Economy and the Ethanol Industry: LECG, LLC February 2010. This report looks at how the ethanol industry would be affected if some of the key tax credits to the ethanol industry were not extended, finding that more than 100,000 jobs would be lost if VEETC is allowed to expire.
• Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States: LECG, LLC February 2010. Despite commodity price shocks suffered in 2008, and the current economic recession, the ethanol industry continues to make a significant contribution to the economy in terms of final demand, job creation, generation of tax revenue, and displacement of imported crude oil.
• U.S. Baseline Briefing Book: Projections for Agricultural and Biofuel Markets, Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute, University of Missouri, March 2010. The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) provides analysis of agricultural and biofuel markets and policies for Congress and other decision makers. This report presents a summary of ten-year baseline projections for US agricultural and biofuel markets.
• Issue Brief: Ethanol Economies from Ranch to Restaurant, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, Fall 2008
• Issue Brief: Economic Impact of Ethanol Production, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, February 2008
• Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States: LECG, LLC February 2008. This report summarizes the U.S. ethanol industry's contribution to the nation's economy in 2007. 
• Economic Impacts on the Farm Community of Cooperative Ownership of Ethanol Production National Corn Growers Association, September 2006.
• Ethanol's Economic Contribution: LECG, LLC February 2006.
• Economic Impact of Ethanol Production in South Dakota: Stuefen Research LLC, Dec. 2005.
• Ethanol's Effects on the Local Community: AUS Consultants and SJH & Company, June 2002. This study examines the economic impact of building and operating an ethanol plant on its local area. Analysis is based on a dry-mill ethanol plant producing 40 million gallons of ethanol per year.
• Contribution of the Biofuels Industry to the Economy of Iowa: LECG, LLC, January 2010. The ethanol industry provides a significant contribution to the Iowa economy, spending nearly $5 billion on raw materials, other inputs, goods and services to produce 3.2 billion gallons of ethanol. This study is an analysis of the contribution of ethanol and other biofuels to the Iowa state economy.

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Ethanol and the Environment

• Ethanol: A Convenient Solution to the Inconvenient Truth: Better Environmental Solutions, December 2007
• Clearing the Air with Ethanol - A Review of the Real-World Impact of Fuels Blended with Ethanol: Better Environmental Solutions, March 2006. This study examined the real-world use of ethanol in the Midwest, on the East Coast, and on the West Coast. Calling into question the computer modeling that predicts otherwise, these real-world situations showed that ethanol reduces carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and ozone pollution.
• The Fate and Transport of Ethanol Blended Gasoline in the Environment: Surbec-Art Environmental, October 1999. This study confirms that ethanol poses no threat to the environment and groundwater should it spill.
• Effects of Fuel Ethanol Use on Fuel-Cycle Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Argonne National Laboratory, January 1999. This study analyzes the reduction in petroleum use, fossil energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions from using ethanol-blended fuels.

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Ethanol and Health

• Ethanol Health Impacts: Cambridge Environmental Inc., March 1999. This study examines the health impacts of fuel ethanol and finds, because ethanol is so easily degraded in the environment, that there are no adverse health effects from its use.

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Ethanol and Vehicle Performance

• ACE Fuel Economy Study: The American Coalition for Ethanol conducted this pilot study in the spring of 2005 to examine the fuel economy, cost per mile, and driveability of various ethanol blends. Fuels used included E10, E20, and E30.
• Use of Mid-range Ethanol/Gasoline Blends in Unmodified Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks: This one-year project focused on the effects on fuel economy, emission characteristics, drivability, and component compatibility of in-use light duty vehicles running on blends of 30% and 10% ethanol. The test sample included 15 vehicles of various years, makes, and models.

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Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)

• MTBE Contamination From Underground Storage Tanks: U.S. General Accounting Office, May 2002. This study summarizes the costs to states and taxpayers of cleaning up MTBE pollution and illustrates the extent of MTBE pollution around the United States.

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The Real Cost of Oil

• Securing America's Future: Enhancing our National Security by Reducing Oil Dependence and Environmental Damage, Center for American Progress, August 2009. This study examines policies aimed at reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, including more efficient fuel economy standards, investments in hybrid and electric vehicles, development of natural gas-fueled heavy duty vehicles, and production of advanced biofuels.
• Petroleum and Ethanol Fuels: Tax Incentives and Related GAO Work: U.S. General Accounting Office, September 2000. This study examines subsidies given to the oil industry and to the ethanol industry and finds that the amounts of those to the oil industry are far higher.
• Fueling Global Warming: Federal Subsidies to Oil in the United States : Industrial Economics Incorporated, June 1998. This study, prepared for Greenpeace, examines the federal subsidies given to the oil industry in detail and identifies logical areas of reform.
• The Real Price of Gas: International Center for Technology Assessment, December 1998. This independent study Identifies and quantifies the many external costs of gasoline and estimates the true cost of gasoline to be between $5.60 and $15.14 per gallon.
• Oil Slickers: How Petroleum Benefits at the Taxpayer's Expense: The Institute for Local Self Reliance, August 1996. The study concludes that if you include tax subsidies, the cost of protecting the oil supply, and the cost of environmental and health hazards, a gallon of gas costs 32 cents more than its pump price.

Efficiency of Ethanol Production Facilities

• Detailed Report: 2008 National Dry Mill Corn Ethanol Survey: Dr. Steffen Mueller, University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Research Center, May 2010. Compared to 2001, U.S. ethanol plants have significantly reduced the energy inputs and have increased yields of ethanol per bushel of corn.
• Analysis of the Efficiency of the U.S. Ethanol Industry 2007: Center for Transportation Research, Argonne Nationa Laboratory & the Renewable Fuels Association, March 2008. This survey reveals that compared to 2001 levels, ethanol production facilities have increased yield (gal denatured ethanol/bu) while decreasing energy and water usage.

Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Biofuels & Low Carbon Fuel Standard

• Land Use Changes and Consequent CO2 Emissions Due to U.S. Corn Ethanol Production: A Comprehensive Analysis. Purdue University, Department of Agricultural Economics. Wallace Tyner et al, April 2010. An update to the Global Trade Analysis Project model (GTAP), on which the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is based, showing corn-based ethanol's land use emissions at a figure less than half of what was adopted for the LCFS.
• Life Cycle Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Starch-Based Ethanol: Prepared for the American Coalition for Ethanol by Global Insight, December 2008. This study examines how agriculture contributes to and can help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), the lifecycle analysis of biofuels, the direct and indirect GHG emissions associated with the production of biofuels including a review of "indirect land use changes," lifecycle analysis and GHG emissions associated with petroleum, and identifies the marginal carbon footprint of biofuels versus the maginal impact of new sources of oil production. Further reading on this study: Executive Summary and Key Findings
• Biofuels, Land Use Change, and GHG Emissions: Some Unexplored Variables: Michigan State University, January 2009. Explores direct and indirect land use change, finds that existing studies did not consider many of the potentially important variables that might affect greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels, describes the problem with holding a domestic industry responsible for GHG emissions by their competitors worldwide.
• Improvements in Life Cycle Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Ethanol:
  Journal of Industrial Ecology, January 2009. Analyzes the life cycles of corn-ethanol systems to estimate GHG emissions and energy efficiencies. This study finds that direct-effect GHG emissions were estimated to be equivalent to a 48% to 59% reduction compared to gasoline, two to three times greater reduction that reported in previous studies. It suggests that corn-ethanol systems have substantially greater potential to mitigate GHG emissions and reduce dependence on imported petroelum for transportation than previously reported.
• An Examination of the Potential for Improving Carbon/Energy Balance of Bioethanol: International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 39, February 2009. Discusses the importance of ethanol in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles. This report examines GHG reductions from grain ethanol since 1995 and projected GHG reductions from ethanol out to 2015 and concludes that GHG reductions will grow by over 100% from 1995 to 2015.
• Assessment of Direct and Indirect GHG Emissions Associated with Petroleum Fuels:
  Life Cycle Associates, LLC for the New Fuels Alliance, February 2009. This study reviews the range of activities associated with the production of petroleum fuels in order to assess their life cycle impact on GHG emissions. This includes both direct petroleum emissions, and to the degree feasible, some indirect effects.
• Comments on California's proposd Low Carbon Fuel Standard
  -American Coalition for Ethanol
  -Monsanto
  -Nebraska Ethanol Board

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