Study highlights emission, water consumption problems with ethanol; proposes milo, sorghum, switchgrass alternatives

A study released by Environmental Defense reports on greenhouse gas emission and water consumption problems arising from ethanol production.

The study’s authors suggest the use of milo, sorghum or switchgrass to produce ethanol with less water consumption. The authors cited advanced ethanol plants that use manure, as opposed to coal, or plants that recycle wastewater, as examples of positive developments.

In September, Environmental Defense released a report predicting that the increase in Midwestern ethanol production could place an unacceptable strain on the Ogallala aquifer. The report projected an additional 2.6 billion gallon demand from the aquifer for processing, and as much as 120 billion gallons from added corn production, which supplies water for more than 20% of all irrigated land in the United States, covering an area between Texas and South Dakota.

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