At VeraSun Energy, we are focused on creating a future that includes renewable energy. Our nation's growing dependence on fossil fuels and the impact of our consumption have never been more apparent than they are today. We believe there is a better way—renewable fuels.
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fact #1
The less oil the United States imports, the less we have to worry about the stability of the countries that supply that oil. The production of nearly 6.5 billion gallons of ethanol means that the U.S. needed to import 228.2 million fewer barrels of oil in 2007 to manufacture gasoline, or roughly the equivalent of five percent of total U.S. crude oil imports. By choosing ethanol, you can make a difference for our economy.
Source: RFA
fact #2
All small engines, including lawn mowers and lawn and garden power equipment, can efficiently burn E10, a mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline found at fuel stations across the country. Filling the tanks of small engines with E10 reduces the amount of pollutants released into the air by 12-19 percent compared with conventional gasoline.
Source: EPIC
fact #3
In 2007, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced C02-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10.1 million tons, equal to removing more than 1.5 million cars from America's roadways. And, it keeps getting better as we use more ethanol, making the air we breathe cleaner.
Source: RFA
fact #4
E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is a viable alternative to gasoline. In fact, there are over 7 million Flex-Fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road today. However, not all Flex-Fuel vehicles are clearly labeled as such, and you may even drive one and not know it.
Source: EPIC
fact #5
The IndyCar® Series will be using 100% fuel-grade ethanol in 2007, becoming the first major racing circuit to switch entirely to a renewable fuel. Ethanol powers the cars on the race track and can also help consumer vehicles run better on Main Street.
Source: EPIC
fact #6
Tests have shown ethanol can reduce knocking and pinging in engines, and concluded that it will not harm seals, valves or increase corrosion. Ethanol is safe to use in your vehicle and helps the environment and economy as well.
Source: EPIC
fact #7
E10 ethanol-enriched fuel, a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, is warranted for use in any vehicle manufactured after 1980. Ethanol is available at thousands of fuel stations across the country. Simply look for the 'e' on the pump, or ask the fuel retailer for more details.
Source: EPIC
fact #8
In 2007, U.S. ethanol production kept about 228.2 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $16.5 billion, from reaching American shores. The news continues to get even better as U.S. ethanol production increases. By choosing ethanol at the pump each time you fill up, you're helping to fuel our economy.
Source: RFA
fact #9
Today there are more than 139 ethanol plants across the country that produce 7.8 billion gallons of ethanol per year, with more than 60 plants under construction or expansion. With each plant, we help increase control of our fuel and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Source: EPIC
fact #10
Ethanol production creates new jobs, boosts local economies and expands the tax base. The U.S. ethanol industry supported the creation of nearly 238,541 jobs in all sectors of the economy in 2007, boosting U.S. household income by $12.3 billion. Choose ethanol at the pump, and help fuel your economy.
Source: EPIC
fact #11
Ethanol production can have a positive impact on our economy. Increased economic activity and new jobs result in higher levels of income for American households. The production of ethanol put an additional $12.3 billion into the pockets of American consumers in 2007. Choosing ethanol when you fill up helps drive our economy.
Source: RFA
fact #12
Ethanol production gives growers new markets for their crops. In 2007, U.S. farmers produced a record 13.1 billion bushel corn harvest—and some 2.3 billion bushels (about 13 percent) were used in ethanol production. Ethanol production is increasing corn demand, and fueling rural economies across the country.
Source: NCGA
fact #13
10% ethanol-enriched fuel reduces carbon monoxide by as much as 30%. Choosing a 10% ethanol-enriched fuel results in a 35% to 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. E85 has the highest oxygen content of any fuel available, making it burn more cleanly and more completely than any other fuel.
Source: EPIC
fact #14
The production of ethanol creates more than 67 percent more energy than it takes to make it, according to a 2004 USDA study. And other studies have come to similar conclusions. So when you consider that ethanol is helping expand our fuel supply, it clearly is a net energy winner.
Source: EPIC
fact #15
MTBE, a fuel oxygenate derived from petroleum, used to be one of the best-selling oxygenates in the world. Today, MTBE is banned in many states because it has been shown to contaminate groundwater, and it is listed as a possible carcinogen. But, ethanol is a great alternative because it's highly biodegradable and nontoxic.
Source: EPIC
fact #16
Believe it or not, one bag of seed corn produces around 1,200 gallons of ethanol fuel. Which in turn, produces 12,000 gallons of 10 percent ethanol-enriched fuel. That means Americans drive 230,000 miles on one little bag of seed corn - which translates into less crude oil imports. And that's good for our economy.
Source: EPIC
fact #17
The IndyCar® Series was the first motorsports league to sanction a renewable fuel. The move to ethanol makes the IndyCar® Series the motorsports leader in using a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel, and fits with the Indy Racing League's long tradition of innovation in technology and safety.
Source: EPIC
fact #18
18. U.S. ethanol production replaced about 228 million barrels of imported gasoline or crude oil in 2007. That's more than all the oil imported from Iraq and nearly half of that which was imported from Venezuela, thus saving Americans an average of $45 million a day.
Source: EPIC
fact #19
By growing crops and producing ethanol, we create new jobs, boost local economies and expand the tax base. The U.S. ethanol industry supported the creation of nearly 238,541 jobs in all sectors of the economy in 2007, boosting U.S. household income by $12.3 billion.
Source: EPIC
fact #20
Ethanol is made from field corn, which is not the same as the sweet corn we find in our grocery aisle. Field corn is used in some food products but only makes up 5 to 8 percent of total corn usage, so it stands to reason that ethanol production weighs lightly in the spiking food prices being experienced.
Source: EPIC
fact #21
Ethanol production uses only the starch portion of the corn kernel. The remaining protein, fat, fiber and minerals are still used as high-value livestock feed. The 2008 U.S. corn surplus is projected to be larger than 1.8 billion bushels, so there is more than enough corn to meet all the various kinds of demand.
Source: EPIC
fact #22
Average yields per acre of corn are expected to hit an all-time high of 178 bushels per acre by 2015 according to the USDA. This means that we don’t have to make a choice between food and fuel – American farmers can grow enough to meet ALL our needs, as well as the needs for growing worldwide populations.
Source: EPIC
fact #23
The cost of transportation - not food - now represents 65 percent of the total expenditure for the largest U.S. emergency food aid program.
Source: EPIC
fact #24
The economy we participate in today is a global economy, affected directly by factors around the globe. Factors such as weather conditions (drought, floods, etc.), growing populations, expanding wealth, and industrialization in countries such as China and India all contribute to higher prices of food and fuel.
Source: EPIC
fact #25
The demand for corn used in food products has remained relatively flat for over 15 years with less than 10 percent of the corn crop being used in food. This means that the demand for corn in the food industry is stable and easily met. Acres are not being diverted from food-grade corn to field corn for ethanol production.
Source: EPIC
fact #26
Ethanol-enriched gasoline can tolerate water contamination to a far greater degree than gasoline alone - it absorbs moisture and helps prevent gasoline freeze-up in cold weather.
Source: EPIC
fact #27
Ethanol is an oxygenate - meaning it contains oxygen - which helps regular gasoline burn more cleanly. That's why gasoline-enriched with ethanol burns cleaner, more completely and more efficiently with lower carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions.
Source: EPIC
fact #28
Sure, ethanol is great for your car and better for the environment. But when you choose ethanol, you're also doing your part to lessen our dependence on oil. Right now, ethanol production replaces gasoline that would require the use of 600,000 barrels of oil a day.
Source: EPIC
fact #29
Each gallon of corn ethanol today delivers as much as 67 percent more energy than is used to produce it. And other studies have come to similar conclusions. So when you consider that ethanol is helping expand our fuel supply, it clearly is a net energy winner.
Source: EPIC
fact #30
According to many experts, fossil-fuel sources will be depleted in 50 years. So a renewable resource like ethanol is a long-term alternative - which can help us all breathe a sigh of relief, because we know it can be available when we need it.
Source: EPIC
fact #31
A bushel of corn needs about 4,000 gallons of water in a growing season. But nearly nine out of every 10 acres used to grow corn in the United States are rain-fed and require no irrigation whatsoever meaning that as much as 96 percent of the corn used for ethanol is not irrigated.
Source: NREL
fact #32
Ethanol helps prevent wintertime problems by acting as a gas-line antifreeze. Therefore, if you live in a cold weather climate, you don't need to buy over-the-counter additives such as de-icers to prevent water, which collects in your fuel system, from freezing in your gas-line if you use ethanol.
Source: RFA
fact #33
Due to rising concerns about emissions from snowmobiles in some recreation and wilderness areas, the use of ethanol-blended fuel is required to protect air quality. Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol is approved by all engine warranties. Tests completed on SkiDoo Snowmobiles showed no problems with engine parts, pistons were normal and lubrication good.
Source: RFA
fact #34
Ethanol is the oxygenate of choice in some water-recreation areas because of its clean air and clean water benefits. In the absence of ethanol, more of these areas would become off-limits to personal watercraft. Honda, Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC, Pleasurecraft, Tigershark, Tracker and Yamaha allow the use of ethanol fuels in their products.
Source: RFA
fact #35
A study conducted for the Governors' Ethanol Coalition concluded that ethanol poses no threat to surface water and ground water. According to the report, ethanol is a naturally occurring substance produced during the fermentation of organic matter and is expected to rapidly biodegrade in essentially all environments.
Source: RFA
fact #36
Blended with gasoline at terminals, ethanol can help extend our fuel supply by adding volume to the market. The production of ethanol also helps to diversify our energy infrastructure with local production of renewable fuels. The 400,000 barrels of ethanol produced daily in 2007 could displace the gasoline output from 2-3 average oil refineries.
Source: RFA
fact #37
Argonne National Laboratory concluded that improvements in the ethanol industry were due to the industry’s commitment to the advancement of domestic energy production. Water consumption is down by 26.6%, and so are grid electricity usage (15.7%) and total energy expenditures (21.8%).
Source: ANL
fact #38
Only 4 percent of the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is directly related to corn prices. The balance of the cost of rising food prices is due to marketing, advertising and transportation.
Source: CFA
fact #39
The demand for corn used in food products has remained relatively flat for over 15 years with less than 10 percent of the corn crop being used in food. The demand for corn in the food industry is stable and easily met. Acres are not being diverted from food-grade corn to field corn for ethanol production.
Source: EPIC
fact #40
Most motorcycle, recreational vehicle and power equipment manufacturers allow the use of ethanol-enriched gasoline in their products without restriction. In fact, Harley-Davidson actually recommends the use of renewable, clean-air fuels such as ethanol-enriched gasoline.
Source: EPIC
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