Letter to the Editor

Does ethanol really save oil?

Monday, February 13, 2006

Dear Editor,

I am writing with reference to an article that appeared in the Gazette, Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12, 2006. The writer of this article suggested that the State Legislature should require nearly all gasoline sold in the state to include 10 percent ethanol. Further, the author of this article suggests that the use of this "ethanol" fuel will reduce our use of foreign oil ("fossil" fuel). With this in mind, I have a question, and so far, I have found no rational answer.

Gasoline and diesel fuels are derivatives of crude oil and even natural gas and coal are so-called "fossil" fuels, which are also of limited supply. Now it is my understanding that in an ethanol plant, corn, or other grain is "distilled" and ethanol is released into storage tanks. The "mash" which is left over is sold as feed for livestock. The ethanol is then mixed with gasoline to make the 10 percent ethanol -- 90 percent gasoline solution.

This all sound like a wonderful savings of some 10 percent "fossil" fuel, but:

The farmer uses diesel fuel either to prepare his soil for planting or for herbicides to control the weeds in a no-till field. He then uses diesel fuel to plant the crop. He again uses diesel fuel to harvest the crop.

He, or a custom trucker uses diesel fuel to transport the grain to the ethanol plant. All of the electricity to operate the ethanol plant is provided by burning "fossil" fuel. The fuel used to operate the plant is "fossil" fuel. The trucks that deliver the "mash" to feed yards use diesel fuel

So, my question is: "How much "fossil" fuel (imported or not) is actually being saved by this conversion to 10 percent ethanol?"

Stan Garretson

McCook

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