Omaha, Neb. (June 10, 2008) — Most consumers do not believe the benefits of oil production are worth the cost to the environment. That's the conclusion of a national survey commissioned by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). Despite erroneous headlines reporting ethanol's alleged negative impact on the environment, most Americans recognize fossil fuels as an environmental culprit.

In the national survey commissioned by EPIC, more than 70 percent of respondents cited water pollution, land pollution and global warming as their top concerns regarding the environmental impact of fossil fuel use. More than half of those polled also cited disruption to natural ecology and the threat of extinction to animal and plant life as serious concerns.

A majority of respondents — 63 percent — indicated that the benefits of fossil fuel production were simply not worth the cost to the environment.

"The environmental hazards of fossil fuel production are clear," said Toni Nuernberg, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. "We must work together for cleaner and more available alternatives."

As oil prices are expected to top $140 a barrel this summer, the ethanol industry continues to fund research in new areas of production, like cellulosic ethanol, as an alternative to fossil fuels. Cellulosic ethanol yields a higher net energy value and uses non-grains like switchgrass and plant waste.

Research published earlier in the year found that the ethanol industry has significantly decreased its grid electricity, fossil fuel and water usage during production of ethanol fuel. Between 2001 and 2007, total energy use in dry mill production dropped by more than 20 percent. Water usage dropped by 26 percent.

"Corn-based ethanol, while not a silver bullet, is a viable foundation upon which the next generation of advanced biofuels can be built," said Nuernberg. "We see cellulosic ethanol as a very valuable fuel alternative on the horizon."

Survey Methodology: Online survey of a total 1,004 completed surveys from Luth Research's SurveySavvy online research panel. Survey fielding dates were April 24, 2008 through April 30, 2008. Click here to download the survey (pdf, 1.1 megs).

About EPIC: The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is an alliance of ethanol producers and industry leaders who have come together to spread the word about the benefits of ethanol through information and promotional programs. EPIC is a nonprofit organization and is overseen by an 11 member board of directors. Visit www.DrivingEthanol.org for more information about EPIC.

Resources:
In January 2008, the first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant went online in Upton, Wyo. The plant is owned and operated by KL Energy. B-roll is available by contacting Joanna Schroeder, APR, Director of Communications at 402-932-0567 or via email at JSchroeder@DrivingEthanol.org.

Web Resources:

• Ethanol Information
• Renewable Fuels Information
• For past research studies click here