Minnesota Study: Bioethanol's Impact Is Greater on Water

American Chemical Society ^ | 3-10-2009 | Yi-Wen Chiu, Brian Walseth, and Sangwon Suh

[BlueNgold]

Abstract:

Prior studies have estimated that a liter of bioethanol requires 263−784 L of water from corn farm to fuel pump, but these estimates have failed to account for the widely varied regional irrigation practices. By using regional time-series agricultural and ethanol production data in the U.S., this paper estimates the state-level field-to-pump water requirement of bioethanol across the nation. The results indicate that bioethanol’s water requirements can range from 5 to 2138 L per liter of ethanol depending on regional irrigation practices. The results also show that as the ethanol industry expands to areas that apply more irrigated water than others, consumptive water appropriation by bioethanol in the U.S. has increased 246% from 1.9 to 6.1 trillion liters between 2005 and 2008, whereas U.S. bioethanol production has increased only 133% from 15 to 34 billion liters during the same period. The results highlight the need to take regional specifics into account when implementing biofuel mandates.

[BlueNgold]

I am not sure of posting rules from this source.

I find it interesting that the water industry, the farming industry, and the energy industry all seem to be on opposite points of a an equilateral triangle around this issue. The costs and benefits of bio-fuels are not anywhere near a balancing equation, yet our government continues to force scientifically unsupported mandates down the collective American throat.

[San Jacinto]

Stupidest idea in the history of stupid. Higher food prices and crappy gas— what a combo!

[Cold Heart]

Thank you for your comments. However, you will be ignored by government.

I really hate ethanol gas. The good news is I have found a source of non ethanol contaminated gas.

[Boiling Pots]

Ethanol is garbage, simply. It takes 1.2 gallons of gas to make 1 gallon of ethanol.

Nothing more needs to be said.