By Illinois Radio Network
Carbondale, IL – Committing corn to ethanol production won't leave the world hungry, and ethanol production doesn't have a net negative effect on global warming, according to two studies released by the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
The first study shows great potential for the food supply and ethanol, contrary to previous reports.
Ross Korves is economic policy analyst at Proexporter Network. He says the potential for higher yield on the world's corn fields is so great that if realized, it will provide enough corn to feed everybody, and to increase ethanol production from 7 billion gallons in 2007 to 33 billion gallons by 2030.
The second study addresses the global warming impact of ethanol production. Critics have said that ethanol's cleaner tailpipe emissions are offset by the global warming impact of growing corn, which requires energy for planting and harvesting, and in the process of turning corn into ethanol.
The study finds that gasoline, from the extraction through the refining, distribution and combustion process, emits more carbon dioxide than ethanol.
Illinois currently has 11 ethanol plants in operation, producing 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol each year, using 530 million bushels of corn.
