CONSUMER EDUCATION AND MEDIA OUTREACH

Our Mission: Education & Communication Ethanol Minute Radio Program Fact Books Issue Briefs White Papers Workshops-Seminars Special Projects & Publications

Information. Knowledge. The power of choice. For 30 years ethanol has been used as a gasoline additive (10% blends) and/or alternative fuel (85% blends, or E85) in nearly every state. Yet, its detractors have created a path of myths and disinformation to help keep the 100-year-old gasoline-only status quo marketplace in place. Learn more about the energy, environmental and economic consequences of our oil addiction and the benefits ethanol production and use provide you — and make your own choice.

Every American is a consumer and should have choices in a "free market" as they do with food, medicine, clothes, computers, and cars.  Ethanol Across America provides drivers with a wide range of information resources to help them make an educated decision.

The Ethanol Minute

The Ethanol Minute is a national radio show broadcasting interviews with experts from all walks of life including elected officials, celebrities, energy and environmental experts, and businessmen and women.

The Ethanol Minute is coming to a radio station near you soon. Keep and ear out for us. An estimated 400 stations throughout the country will be carrying the broadcasts.

For more information about shows or suggestions please contact: info@ethanolacrossamerica.net

Factbooks

We have several Fact Books and Issue Briefs available that will provide you with first hand research information on the use, production, benefits, technical performance and impact of fuel ethanol and ethanol fueled vehicles.

The Ethanol Fact Book

Over 100 references and numerous brief issue overviews are available in the Ethanol Fact Book to answer your questions about environmental impacts, performance, energy security, legislative history and benefits.

Download a copy of the Ethanol Fact Book (PDF) right here:

Flexible Fuel Vehicle Fact Book

Over 100 years ago Henry Ford stirred the imagination of the world by making the first Model T to run on any combination of gasoline or alcohol. Henry Ford's visionary concerns about urban air quality and the economic impact of high oil imports have become a reality - and so did his first dream to have cars run on renewable, clean burning, domestic ethanol. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler-Daimler and Toyota have manufactured millions of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) that are NOW available though their dealership networks. Learn more about their availability and technical performance.

Download a copy of the Flexible Fuel Fact Book (PDF) right here:

Fuel Ethanol Curriculum Guide

Similar to the efforts to teach school children about the environmental benefits or recycling, Ethanol Across America is supporting the mass distribution of a guide prepared for educators to teach a course on ethanol, and harness perhaps the greatest power we have, America's youth.

Download a copy of the Fuel Ethanol Curriculum Guide (PDF) right here:

Clean Fuels: Paving the Way For America's Future

This publication provides general information on a wide range of alternative transportation fuels, helping the reader understand the different characteristics and applications of these fuels.

For a copy of the Clean Fuels: Paving the Way for America's Future publication, contact: publications@ethanolacrossamerica.net

 

Issue Briefs

The Issue Brief Series allows us to produce and distribute a concise overview of complex issues in layman terms. It is designed for consumers, the media, Key Influencers and other busy professionals that are interested learning more about the development of alternative fuels.

New Issue Brief on Cellulosic Biofuels

According to a new report issued by the Ethanol Across America education campaign, there are more than two dozen different companies engaged in nearly 100 projects to produce cellulosic biofuels, with encouraging signs that federal requirements for these fuels can be met.

Converting Cellulose Into Ethanol and Other Biofuels is the latest in the highly successful Issue Brief series produced by the Ethanol Across America campaign and was released recently at the Infocast Cellulosic Biofuels Summit 2009. In this brief the different paths to commercialization of cellulose are examined as well as the companies employing them. The brief also looks at realistic feedstock availability based on studies from the Federal Biomass Technical Advisory Committee and the Sandia National Lab which both conclude that there are no insurmountable barriers to producing significant volumes of biofuels from cellulose.

In a welcome to readers, Ethanol Across America Advisory Committee members U.S. Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE), Richard Lugar (R-IN), and Tim Johnson (D-SD) said, ”The commercialization of cellulosic ethanol conversion technologies is a very important component of the policies we are crafting in Congress as we develop programs to reduce our use of petroleum. As we have seen with the corn ethanol and biodiesel industries, these domestic "energy factories" are in themselves stimulus packages, creating jobs and keeping dollars at home. The path to commercialization of cellulosic technologies will not be easy, cheap, or immediate. We still need to create and manage policies to attract private funding and encourage the end use markets for these strategically important biofuels." (see full story, download report)

Issue Brief: Environmental Impacts of Ethanol Production
(Summer 2009):

The goal is to break the stranglehold of imported petroleum by developing domestic, renewable energy. But can we achieve this objective while leaving a minimal environmental footprint? Can we keep biofuels clean and green? And can we avoid the oil-soaked sins of the past without setting unrealistic expectations for an evolving renewable energy industry that holds such great promise? The ethanol industry is already out in front of these issues. The profound negative environmental impact of petroleum is well documented. Just ask a seagull that was around for the Exxon Valdez spill. Or the asthma victim who can’t go outdoors thanks to air pollution. Add the crushing cost of imported oil and the incalculable human cost of military action to protect the sources of that oil, and it’s obvious that there is no alternative to finding alternatives.

Click here for Brief (PDF 364 K)

Economic Impact of Ethanol Production

This report, sponsored by CFDC and released by the Ethanol Across America Education Campaign, illustrates how U.S. ethanol production facilities are generating hundreds of millions of dollars to local, state, and federal governments through direct and indirect economic generation. "When indirect and induced jobs are considered, along with capital spending and investment, the ethanol industry is adding more than $40 billion of gross output to the U.S. economy," said U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Co-Chairman of the Ethanol Across America campaign.

Click here for Brief (PDF 308 K)

Energy Security Issue Brief

Energy security is probably best understood when taken literally. We need to be secure in our energy in terms of the source, i.e. where it comes from, control of the flow and distribution of that energy, and having alternatives in place to allow us to withstand highs and lows associated with any commodity. Unfortunately, the United States is the antithesis of a secure energy nation. We depend on foreign oil to the extent that our economy is precariously over the barrel—and any number of global events, including peaceful competition for supply, could cripple us beyond anything we have seen in our history

Click here for Brief (PDF 456 K)

Ethanol's Negative Energy Balance Myth: Case Closed

According to a new Net Energy Balance of Ethanol Production study released today by the Ethanol Across America (EAA) education campaign, the energy efficiency of ethanol plants is steadily improving, with modern ethanol plants using 20% less energy than just four years ago. "The facts speak for themselves in that today's ethanol plants are producing more energy in the form of domestic transportation fuels and using considerably less energy to do so. Energy audits, independent studies, and government research all confirm that ethanol is a net energy producer and that we are constantly improving technology." said EAA Advisory Board Member Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD).

Click here for copies of the Press Release & Net Energy Balance of Ethanol Production Study

The Ethanol Across America education campaign releases The Summer 2008 edition of The Impact of Ethanol Production on Food, Fuel and Feed.

This report was designed to help the media and public understand the real impact of the U.S. fuel ethanol program on food prices and help combat the paid negative media campaign being waged against ethanol by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Copy of the Press Release. Download Copy of the Report here.

White Papers

Ethanol Across America “White Papers” allows us to quickly produce and distribute an opinion or thoughtful rebuttal to many of the challenges facing the growth of ethanol and response to the anti-ethanol media campaign being waged by competitors. It is designed for consumers, the media, and other busy professionals interested learning more about in the development of alternative fuels.

Rethinking the Value of Corn Ethanol Co-Products in Lifecycle Assessments, Dave Vander Griend, President, ICM

Click to download the White Paper (PDF 964K)

Farmer productivity has already outpaced the demand for feedgrains needed for the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Biofuel critics leap to the conclusion that farmers must be using more land — pristine, conservation land —even our national forests! And if this is indeed the case, farmers must not only be reducing our food supply but generating carbon emissions in the process. The chorus of critics and detractors —people apparently opposed to the greater choice and control that a competitive biofuels market offers — grew louder and falsely faulted the ethanol industry for increasing CO2, generating greenhouse gases (GHG) and contributing to climate change.

On top of this, the “food and fuel” debate reached near hysteria toward the end of 2007, throughout 2008 and well into 2009. Ethanol was targeted as the culprit for rising food prices, with little attention paid to the facts (such as the significant impact of petroleum-based energy costs at every stage of food production and distribution) — or to what is really happening in American agriculture today.

Ethanol & Rural Development, Thomas Dorr, Under Secretary, Rural Development, USDA

Alternative Fuels Key to a Rural Renaissance

The outlook for rural America has never been brighter; we are on the cusp of a rural renaissance. Renewable energy, especially biofuels, is leading the way. Over the past five-and-a-half years, working for Rural Development as part of the Bush Administration, it has been my privilege to see the start of this renewal firsthand. I have toured a lot of plants and met with many producers who are creating wealth and opportunity by converting corn into ethanol and soybeans, vegetable oils and animal fats into biodiesel. Many other entrepreneurs have told me about their plans to expand into the development of cellulosic and other biofuels.

Click to download the White Paper (PDF 194K)

Ethanol Economics from Ranch to Restaurant, Jim Jenkins, Chairman Nebraska Ethanol Board, rancher/restaurant owner.

The Case for Higher Corn Prices

Now farmers are less subsidized and rural economies are surging in the United States and around the world. After decades of stagnant prices, increased farm income is driving innovation as farmers now have the resources and the price incentives to more fully implement advancements such as precision guidance systems, fuel efficient equipment, new genetics and irrigation equipment that saves water and energy. Instead of undermining food production systems around the world, the biofuels industry is bringing badly needed diversification and stability to agriculture.

Click to download the White Paper (PDF 272K)

Ethanol & Energy, Gary Herwick, President, Transportation Fuels Consulting

The Case for Using a Sensible Alternative Fuel

Ethanol is a renewable alternative fuel, currently made from corn grown in the U.S. It is a good motor fuel that can be made not only from corn, but from just about any organic or “biomass” sources, such as corn and wheat stalks, forestry waste and even municipal solid waste products. Research conducted jointly by the University of Toronto and General Motors determined that it is well within the realm of possibility to replace 30% of U.S. gasoline use with ethanol from all potential sources including biomass. No other near term alternative fuel has that kind of potential.

Click to download the White Paper (PDF 338K)

Special Projects & Reports

Leadership and doing the next right thing can be time consuming and disheartening – if you let it. Ethanol Across America keeps an eye out for unique opportunities to create and execute special projects and publications that will have a lasting impact the development of alternative fuels – and fill a void.

Projects

The Sixth Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball

For the sixth consecutive inauguration over 1,000 guests representing hundreds of world renowned environmental and clean energy organizations will celebrate the peaceful transition of power. Once again, this non-partisan event will illustrate to the incoming administration and the world there is a growing consensus and increasing concern to move the United States on an accelerated path of environmental protection that includes sustainable and clean energy production and use.

Traditionally, our guests and honorary participants have included newly appointed cabinet members, Congressional Representatives, and leaders from the industry and non-profit sectors that are working together to build a better tomorrow. As in the past, we anticipate the 6th Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball to be another exciting and elegant event for all those involved in this unique community of interest!

Tired of Just Complaining? Join the Club – the Flexible Fuel Vehicle Club of America

On July 31st, the Ethanol Across America education campaign helped launch the Flex Fuel Vehicle Club of America (Flex Fuel Vehicle Club) at the Renewable Energy Expo on Capitol Hill.

The FFV Club is a web-based, membership driven, very unique new community-of-interest. The FFV Club will corral, nurture, harness, and activate the power of millions of existing and future FFV owners.

For more information go to www.flexiblefuelvehicleclub.org

National FFV Awareness Project to Mobilize Support for Increased Ethanol Usage

Washington, DC April 22, 2009. As part of a series of events across the country celebrating Earth Day, the Ethanol Across America education campaign announced today its support of the National Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) Awareness Project in cooperation with the FlexFuel Vehicle Club of America. The FlexFuel Vehicle Club was founded to build a national support base of FFV owners and other related stakeholders. The goal of the project is to accelerate and support existing consumer education efforts to increase ethanol demand through the sale of high level blends of ethanol to meet the nation’s renewable fuel standard.

Click here for press release (PDF 106K)

 

Ethanol Teams with Veterans to Highlight Energy Security on Memorial Day

 

U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

Hearings on Grains, Cane and Automobiles: Tax Incentives for Alternative Fuels and Vehicles : April 19, 2007

Testimony of R. James Woolsey,
Member National Commission on Energy Policy

 

Reports

Ethanol 3rd Largest Contributor to Nation’s Gasoline Supply

The Clean Fuels Foundation’s Ethanol Across America education campaign released part of an internal study that places the U.S. fuel ethanol industry as the third largest contributor to the U.S. gasoline supply – surpassing Iraq and several other OPEC countries.

Click here for the Press Release.

Thinking About Building an Ethanol Plant? Do Your Homework First!

Ethanol Plant Guide (PDF 836K)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about Ethanol? Do you have a question? We will help you find the answer. What is Ethanol? How is ethanol used as an alterative fuel? What is an E-85 Vehicle?

Can't find the answer? Send us an email at info@ethanolacrossamerica.net