Two recent announcements involving biofuels are important developments for the Minnesota agriculture industry and the environment.
We join the Minnesota Biodiesel Council in applauding the recent letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency by members of Congress, including Michelle Fischbach and Brad Finstad, encouraging more usage of biofuels in the U.S. The letter from the U.S. representatives follows a letter sent by U.S. Senators, including Amy Klobuchar.
Of course, it’s not a big surprise to see Minnesota politicians joining others from agricultural states in support of biofuels. The most basic way to produce biofuels is through the fermentation of crops that are high in sugar (starch) or fat into ethanol. Of course, corn is among the major components of ethanol.
The Minnesota representatives are advocating for Minnesota farmers. Minnesota became the first state in the nation to mandate the use of biodiesel in 2002 and produces 85 million gallons of biodiesel annually. The Minnesota Council stresses in its press release that by using a B20 blend in the summer and B5 in the winter, equates to removing the emissions from nearly a quarter-million vehicles from Minnesota roadways every year.
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced 16 retail service stations in the state were awarded over $3 million in grant funding to increase access to and sales of motor fuel blends containing at least 15% ethanol. The grants were awarded through the Agriculture Growth, and Innovation biofuels infrastructure grant program.
Grant funds can be used to cover costs associated with the replacement or upgrading of current station equipment so it can be certified as compatible with E25 or higher motor fuel blends. To be eligible, grantees must be a retail petroleum dispenser in Minnesota with no more than 10 sites.
Besides the monetary benefits advocating for the increase of biofuels, The U.S. Department of energy states that biofuels save consumers anywhere from 50 cents to $1.50 per gallon for two reasons.
“First, it is a lower-cost fuel, and that is not just in comparison to regular gasoline. Biofuels are the primary octane component in gasoline, and when compared to the petroleum-based alternatives the savings are enormous,” the U.S. Department of Energy says.
Of course there are some drawbacks.
“Biofuel production and use has drawbacks as well, including land and water resource requirements, air and ground water pollution. Depending on the feedstock and production process, biofuels can emit even more GHGs (greenhouse gases) than some fossil fuels on an energy-equivalent basis,” the department says.
However, several conducted studies claim today’s corn -based ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emission by 40-50 percent compered to regular gasoline.
Considering the pros and cons, biofuels offer more benefits than drawbacks.
And it’s a win-win for corn growers in southwest Minnesota.
