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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A future that includes renewable energy is our focus at VeraSun Energy. Now you can make a greener difference simply by the way you fuel your vehicle.
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Sign Up For Ethanol
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. U.S. ethanol production has replaced more than 14 billion gallons of imported gasoline since 1978. By choosing ethanol, you can make a difference for our economy.
fact #2
Small engines can use E10, a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. Lawn mowers, trimmers and snow blowers can be big polluters, so switching to ethanol can make a significant difference in the air we breathe.
fact #3
Ethanol significantly reduces harmful tailpipe emissions. In 2006, the use of ethanol had the equivalent effect of removing more than 1 million cars from our roads. And, it keeps getting better as we use more ethanol, making the air we breathe cleaner.
fact #4
E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is a viable alternative to gasoline. In fact, there are over 6 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.
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.
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.
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.
fact #8
In 2006, U.S. ethanol production kept about 170 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $11 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.
fact #9
At the end of 2006, 110 ethanol production plants in the U.S. made more than 5.4 billion gallons of ethanol. More plants are under construction. With each plant, we help increase control of our fuel and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
fact #10
Ethanol production creates new jobs, boosts local economies and expands the tax base. The U.S. ethanol industry has supported the creation of over 160,000 new jobs, boosting household income by $6.7 billion. Choose ethanol at the pump, and help fuel your economy.
fact #11
Ethanol production can have a positive impact on our economy. Increased economic activity and new jobs put an additional $3.5 billion in the pockets of American consumers in 2005. Choosing ethanol when you fill up helps drive our economy.
fact #12
Ethanol production gives growers new markets for their crops. In 2006, 1.4 billion bushels of corn were used to make ethanol. Ethanol production is increasing corn demand, and fueling rural economies across the country.
fact #13
10% ethanol-enriched fuel reduces carbon monoxide by as much as 30%. Choosing even 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
fact #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 1/2 of that which was imported from Venezuela, thus saving Americans an average of $45 million a day.
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.
fact #20
Without an alternative fuel source such as ethanol, the price of gasoline would spike at least another 14.6 percent. As an example: If gasoline is $4 a gallon at the pump with the current availability of ethanol, it would jump to $4.58 a gallon without the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel.
fact #21
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.
fact #22
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.
fact #23
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.
fact #24
The cost of transportation - not food - now represents 65 percent of the total expenditure for the largest U.S. emergency food aid program.
fact #25
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.
fact #26
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.
fact #27
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.
fact #28
Ethanol-enriched gasoline meets all applicable vapor-pressure standards - to alleviate driving or starting problems in hot or cold weather.
fact #29
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.
fact #30
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.
fact #31
Each gallon of corn ethanol today delivers as much as 67 percent more energy than is used to produce it.
RENEWABLE FUELS ASSOCIATION
