New Study Shows Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gases

Tuesday, 18 November 2014 00:00

Ethanol reduces the equivalent of emissions from 294,000 cars annually in Michigan, a new study by Michigan State University (MSU) concludes.

The new MSU study by Dr Bruce Dale and Dr Seungdo Kim show that ethanol use has prevented 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in Michigan.

"The results of our study clearly show ethanol use in Michigan reduces pollution by reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Dale said in a statement released by the Michigan Corn Growers Association.

Among the key findings of the study include :

"Ethanol use in Michigan has ramped up in recent years, both among drivers and boat users, from 276 million gallons of ethanol blended into fuels in 2007, to 452 million gallons blended in 2012."

"As ethanol use increased, so did the reduction in pollution. In 2007, ethanol use achieved 845,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions reduction. In 2012, ethanol use prevented more than 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 from entering our air."

Additionally, the study said 1.4 million metric tons of CO2, according to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies calculator, is the equivalent of emissions from 294,000 cars or 3.3 billion car miles driven a year.