WHY

Why renewable fuel ethanol? Because it provides energy, environmental and economic security for all Americans.

Energy Security
Did you know that every time we process a bushel of corn into ethanol, we produce food and fuel for America? In many states where ethanol plants are located, they already produce enough motor fuel to help meet the majority of their own fuel needs. The corn remains in the food chain as animal feed, since only the starch content has been converted. And we do it year after year because corn is a renewable resource, as are a host of agricultural products and wastes. And the more ethanol we produce, the more we can begin to reverse the tide of imported oil that is approaching 70% and threatens the very security of this nation.

Economic Security
In the small towns and rural communities where ethanol plants are being built, we have seen the benefits first hand — new jobs at good wages. Business and personal tax flow back to the very communities where we live, helping to provide good schools, better services, and keeping our young people from having to leave their home towns.

Environmental Security
In addition to energy security and economic development benefits, ethanol is a clean burning fuel that can have a significant impact on air quality. Ethanol has in large part helped eliminate carbon monoxide emissions throughout urban areas in the United States. America's car companies are producing millions of vehicles capable of operating on 85% volume ethanol blends that can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of cellulosic biomass as a feedstock for ethanol production creates even more CO2 reductions, and research programs at the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture could bring the costs of converting those materials into ethanol to competitive levels in the near future.