February 7, 2003

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says that according to the latest figures from Argonne National Laboratory the use of ethanol-blended fuels reduced carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4.3 million tons in the United States during 2002. This reduction is equivalent to removing the annual greenhouse gas emissions of more than 636,000 cars from the roads.

"Ethanol use represents an important tool as industries, states, and the nation work to combat global warming," said Bob Dinneen, RFA president. "By pursing public policies to increase the use of ethanol, we can not only enhance energy security and boost rural economic development; we can reduce air pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions."

Ethanol-blended fuels reduce vehicular emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases that contribute to global warming. Argonne National Laboratory has determined that for every gallon of gasoline replaced by ethanol, greenhouse gases are reduced by 30%. This reduction is due, in part, to the "carbon cycle," whereby much of the carbon dioxide released when ethanol-blended fuels are used is reabsorbed by biomass plants, like corn, during growth. These biomass plants provide the feedstocks for ethanol production.

"As state and federal efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions gain momentum, ethanol can play a key role," said Dinneen. "There's no such thing as a catalectic converter for carbon dioxide. Ethanol is an important tool states and others can use to achieve desired reductions in global warming emissions. "