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TechnographAlternative fuels gain use, reduce gas prices
Despite benefits, ethanol under fire for food cost crisis
By Melissa Silverberg
Posted: 4/22/08 Section: News
While the answer to the question of alternative fuels has not yet been determined, ethanol may play a role in the solution despite its possible consequences on a global scale. While Illinois was at one time the No. 1 producer of ethanol, the state is now somewhere between second and third as other states such as Iowa and Nebraska have increased their production in recent years, said Mark Lambert, communications director of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.
Ethanol is made through a scientific fermentation process and can possibly be used an alternative fuel, he added.
"One challenge is going to be getting used to different fuel options," Lambert said. "There is not any one thing that will respond to future needs but a variety of things."
One possibility is that the perfect alternative fuel has not yet been cultivated, discovered or even invented.
"Necessity is the mother of invention," Lambert said. "There could be a lot of new ideas in the next few years, ideas that we haven't even thought of yet."
Ethanol is made from corn at facilities such as the Aventine Renewable Energy plant in Pekin, Ill.
The Pekin plant has been producing ethanol since 1981 and is one of the two oldest ethanol companies in Illinois, said Les Nelson, director of investor relations for the company.
The plant produces 207 million gallons of ethanol annually and sends it to many different places, including large oil companies BP and Exxon Mobil as well as small and independent gasoline distributors, Nelson said.
One benefit for ethanol is the significant price benefit it has, Nelson added.
As gasoline is trading at $2.99 a gallon and ethanol for only $2.49 a gallon, the standard shows ethanol costs less, he said.
Also, building more ethanol plants can have an economic benefit for small towns.
"Places in rural America are becoming robust again because of ethanol plants," Nelson said. "They are creating jobs and booming economic growth."
Ethanol is made through a scientific fermentation process and can possibly be used an alternative fuel, he added.
"One challenge is going to be getting used to different fuel options," Lambert said. "There is not any one thing that will respond to future needs but a variety of things."
One possibility is that the perfect alternative fuel has not yet been cultivated, discovered or even invented.
"Necessity is the mother of invention," Lambert said. "There could be a lot of new ideas in the next few years, ideas that we haven't even thought of yet."
Ethanol is made from corn at facilities such as the Aventine Renewable Energy plant in Pekin, Ill.
The Pekin plant has been producing ethanol since 1981 and is one of the two oldest ethanol companies in Illinois, said Les Nelson, director of investor relations for the company.
The plant produces 207 million gallons of ethanol annually and sends it to many different places, including large oil companies BP and Exxon Mobil as well as small and independent gasoline distributors, Nelson said.
One benefit for ethanol is the significant price benefit it has, Nelson added.
As gasoline is trading at $2.99 a gallon and ethanol for only $2.49 a gallon, the standard shows ethanol costs less, he said.
Also, building more ethanol plants can have an economic benefit for small towns.
"Places in rural America are becoming robust again because of ethanol plants," Nelson said. "They are creating jobs and booming economic growth."
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