A new report has found that ethanol use is contributing to a growing reduction in greenhouse gases on a global scale.
Using a model for lifecycle assessment of transportation fuels called GHGenius, report author Don O’Connor examined greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from grain ethanol since 1995 and projected GHG reductions from ethanol out to 2015. The important conclusion was that GHG reductions will grow by over 100% from 1995 to 2015.
“I think what the study has documented is the importance of time in life cycle assessment work,” said report author Don O’Connor. “This issue in general has been overlooked by people.”
The report was commissioned by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 39 and the results were announced today by the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), an organization which represents over 60% of the global biofuels production from 30 countries.
GRFA spokesperson Bliss Baker says the report clearly illustrates the improving environmental performance of ethanol compared to gasoline. “This report demonstrates that governments must develop energy policies that take into account the increasing efficiency of global ethanol production and do not rely on out-of-date data and out-dated straw man arguments,” said Baker.
The research also found ethanol’s energy balance continues to improve as well. In 2005, the energy balance ratio for grain ethanol was estimated at 1:1.42, meaning every unit of energy used to produce ethanol returned 1.42 units of usable energy to the consumer. By 2015, the energy balance ratio is expected to be 1:1.93, a 55% increase in energy efficiency in just 10 years.
Read the entire report here.
Listen to comments from Baker and O’Connor during a press conference Wednesday morning:
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/grfa-iea.mp3]
The purchase of seven VeraSun plants by Valero Energy has caused quite a buzz in financial circles and within the biofuels industry. This sale marked the most significant entrance into the ethanol market by an oil company. So what does this mean and who will this benefit? These questions and others will be answered during the interactive webinar: Who Will Benefit from the Biofuel Industry’s Current Distress? The webinar, hosted by INFOCAST, is scheduled for April 2 from 1:00 -2:30 ET.
As we approach the 39th celebration of 
“…if Americans and a new, broader environmental and climate movement are to be successful, we will need to find more successful ways to think and talk about—or frame—global climate change and its serious impacts already becoming visible around the country.” One way to reframe this conversation, says Musil, is show people that the environment is not just around us but inside us. “It is us.”
The sale of five ethanol plants and a development site from bankrupt 
The 
“We must ensure biofuels are done right,” said Franz Matzner, acting legislative director for NRDC. “A key step is for EPA to accurately determine the global warming emissions associated with biofuels by using the best science and economic data available.” 
Alternative energy, including biodiesel, ethanol, wind and solar power, set a record in 2008.
Nevada-based Russell Industries, primarily known for its lucrative uranium mining operations, is looking at expanding into the biodiesel business.
A Texas-based biodiesel maker has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to reorganize and stay afloat.
President Obama announced the nomination of Cathy Zoi as the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Ms. Zoi has a history of working in the energy sector including: being the founding CEO of the Alliance for Climate Protection; Chief of Staff in the White House Office on Environmental Policy; and manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she pioneered the Energy Star Program. 
