Energy Independence

Ethanol fuels America

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. The less oil we use, the less we have to worry about the stability and intentions of other countries when it comes to our nation's fuel supply. Right now, ethanol production replaces gasoline that would require the use of 600,000 barrels of oil a day.

So Ethanol Is Essential In The Struggle To Reduce Our Dependence On Oil.

The United States currently imports about 37 million gallons of gasoline each day. Since 1970, Americans increased gasoline consumption from 12 billion gallons of fuel per year to more than 160 billion gallons of fuel per year. Ethanol is helping address the need for renewable fuel options - so someday we won't have to worry about other countries holding the keys to our nation's critical fuel supply.

• U.S. ethanol production replaces about 46.7 million barrels of imported gasoline or crude oil each year - more than 14 billion gallons since 1978.
• In 2005, the use of ethanol reduced the U.S. trade deficit by $8.7 billion by eliminating the need to import 170 million barrels of oil.

 

Using Ethanol-Enriched Fuel Helps Our Economy, Too - Because It's Made From Crops Grown Here In The United States.

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.

By growing crops and producing ethanol, we create new jobs, boost local economies and expand the tax base. We're spending our precious dollars right here at home where they can have a more positive impact on the economy.

• Today there are more than 110 ethanol plants across the country that produce 4.86 billion gallons of ethanol per year.
• The U.S. ethanol industry supported the creation of nearly 153,725 jobs in all sectors of the economy in 2005, boosting U.S. household income by $5.7 billion.

 

What Others Are Saying:

Ethanol Today, August 2005 - Real Cost of Oil [PDF, 550k]