Q. Why should Wisconsin require the use of ethanol?

A. Requiring the use of ethanol is simple: it reduces the amount of foreign fuel, and it improves air quality. Energy independence means having choices, and ethanol is one of those choices that can be made right here in Wisconsin and other state from renewable resources. Those choices are not necessarily advocated by oil companies.

Some oil companies doing business in Wisconsin simply don’t want to provide a renewable fuel on a state-by-state basis, but rather are waiting for a national energy plan to be approved by Congress to require it. Agriculture supports a national energy policy that has a renewable fuels standard, but delays in passage of an energy plan created partly by big oil, means Wisconsin should be a leaders in expanding renewable fuels.

Q. Isn’t this just another fuel “mandate?”

A. No. It’s Wisconsin’s effort at implementing a renewable fuels policy and creating a larger regional market for ethanol. This is an effort to simply have ethanol provided as a choice for a renewable fuel option. Plus, Wisconsin already regulates gasoline.

Q. How does ethanol benefit the environment?

A. The use of ethanol-blended fuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 12-19% compared with conventional gasoline, according to Argonne National Laboratory. In fact, in 2003, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced C02-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5.7 million tons, equal to removing the annual emissions of more than 853,000 cars from the road.

The Environmental Protection Agency approves the use of ethanol in Reformulated Gas in the southeastern corner of the state, which has dramatically reduced ozone level in the state. Total smog forming emissions do not increase with conventional ethanol blends.

Here are some other environmental benefits to ethanol:

• Ethanol reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30%.

• Ethanol reduces exhaust VOC emissions by 12%.

• Ethanol reduces toxic emissions by 30%.

Q. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ draft report said ethanol would be bad for the environment in Wisconsin?

A. The DNR draft report that was initially leaked to the media was so inaccurate that head of the DNR air quality division had to refute the faulty report at an Assembly Agriculture Committee hearing on AB15. The issued raised by the DNR is that evaporation of ethanol, not the burnt emissions, whether at gas stations while filling tanks, or from gas sitting in gas cans at homes, would increase the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Any increase is still negligible. The legislation has been drafted to minimize any negligible affect that may arise, mainly by still providing fuel options that do not contain ethanol.

Q. How will ethanol use affect the non-attainment areas around Milwaukee, especially industries?

A. Expanded ethanol use will not require the use of ethanol in this area because it already uses a blended fuel. Expanded use of ethanol also will not trigger any additional air quality measures that industries have to take.

Q. How does ethanol use increase energy independence?

A. Ethanol is an American-made fuel that helps our country to be more energy independent. U.S. ethanol production provides more than 3 billion gallons of fuel for our country – fuel produced at home from renewable resources, fuel that doesn't need to be imported. Ethanol reduces the need to import 128,000 barrels of oil per day.

Wisconsin currently has three ethanol plants and Wisconsin’s farms have the capability of providing corn as a sustainable and renewable source for the ethanol. It makes more sense to have it produced in Wisconsin than to continue to rely on Middle Eastern countries.

Q: Doesn’t it take more energy to produce ethanol that you get from it?

A. No. Ethanol results in a NET GAIN in energy. According to a 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture study, ethanol yields 67% more fossil energy than is used to grow and harvest the grain and process it into ethanol. Ethanol generates more energy than used during production. Corn plants harness the power of the sun to grow. By releasing the energy stored in corn ethanol production utilizes solar energy, replacing fossil energy use. The study makes note of significant energy efficiency improvements that have been made in ethanol production due to higher yielding corn varieties, technological advances in ethanol production such as the use of molecular sieves and natural gas, and improved farming practices (precision and no-till farming.)

One faulty, outdated study used by anti-agriculture opponents shows ethanol's net energy balance to be negative. That research uses fundamentally flawed, decades old data that is not valid considering today's efficiencies in agriculture and in ethanol production.

Q. Do Wisconsin residents support an ethanol requirement?

A. Yes. An independent statewide survey done by a coalition of farm groups and ethanol producers shows that 72 percent of consumers support an ethanol requirement in gasoline, knowing the environmental benefits of the renewable fuel.

When made aware that ethanol is a renewable energy source made mainly from corn, and is shown to reduce greenhouse gases and reduce the need for foreign oil, and lower the price of gas by a few pennies a gallon, 72 percent of the people in the survey said they would you support a state requirement for fuel to contain 10 percent ethanol. Only 22 opposed the requirement, and 7 percent did not know. 

The poll also inquired if those surveyed used gasoline with ethanol, with 48 percent said they do, 36 said they don’t, and 16 percent were not sure.

The survey was conducted by Wood Communication among 500 Wisconsin residents the week of February 21. The margin of error is five percent.

1.        Thinking about the gas you buy, do you currently use fuel that contains ethanol?

Yes                         47.5%  
No                           36.4%
Not sure                 16.1%

2.        Ethanol is a renewable energy source made mainly from corn. Ethanol is shown to reduce greenhouse gases and reduce the need for foreign oil, and could lower the price of gas by a few pennies a gallon. Knowing that, would you support or oppose a state requirement for fuel to contain 10 percent ethanol?

Strongly support.........................................................................................................................    50.1%
Somewhat support......................................................................................................................    21.9%
Total Support..............................................................................................................................       72%

Somewhat oppose......................................................................................................................      8.2%
Strongly oppose.........................................................................................................................    12.9%
Total Oppose...............................................................................................................................    22.1%

Don’t know..................................................................................................................................          7%

Q. Won’t an ethanol fuel requirement create another “boutique fuel” in Wisconsin and create difficulty for fuel refiners and marketers?

A: No. In fact, an ethanol requirement in Wisconsin would be similar to that in Minnesota. This would create a regional market for ethanol, thus reducing the variation of fuel supplied between the two states. Having a three state region with an ethanol choice would provide a larger regional market.

Q. How will ethanol affect my car’s performance?

A. Ethanol is the highest-octane fuel in the market. It helps keep your fuel system clean for optimal performance because it doesn’t leave gummy deposits. Ethanol also helps prevent wintertime problems by acting as a gas line antifreeze. All vehicle manufacturers approve the use of up to 10% ethanol-blended fuels, and several even recommend ethanol use for its positive environmental aspects.

Q. How does ethanol effect gas mileage?

A. There are many variables with regard to fuel economy, including the season, the weather, and the state of tune of the vehicle, road grade, tire pressure, and the use of air conditioners. In fact, some carbureted vehicles that run rich experience an increase in fuel economy with ethanol-blended fuels. Other tests and studies suggest that fuel economy may decrease by approximately 2% in fuel-injected cars. If all driving conditions were exactly alike from tankful to tankful, that a car averaging 30 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway would average 29.4 MPG using an ethanol-blended fuel (10% ethanol), not enough to be detected by the average driver. Even with a slight drop in mileage, a car would still use less gasoline.

Q. How will the ethanol requirement affect boat, snowmobile and lawnmower fuel use?

A. The ethanol requirement only applies to automotive use, and not for off-road recreational vehicle use. Fuels will still be provided for these types of engines.

Tests completed on SkiDoo Snowmobiles showed no problems with engine parts, pistons were normal and lubrication good. The results of extensive testing by Mercury Marine operating 30 different watercraft on ethanol-blended gasolines found that there were "no malfunctions or operational driving difficulties attributable to ethanol blends. Honda, Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC (Johnson/Evinrude), Pleasurecraft, Tigershark (Artco), Tracker and Yamaha allow the use of ethanol fuels in their products. Tests completed on lawnmowers, chainsaws, weed trimmers and blower vacs with ethanol fuels showed no engine failures, no unscheduled maintenance and good performance.

Herman & Associates, 2003 POWER EQUIPMENT FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Q. Is ethanol produced in Wisconsin?

A. Yes. Wisconsin has three plants currently producing ethanol, Ace Ethanol in Stanley, Badger State Ethanol, LLC in Monroe, and Utica Energy, LLC in Oshkosh. They produce over 120 million gallons. Two more plants are in the works, Western Wisconsin Renewable Energy in Boyceville/Wheeler, and United Wisconsin Grain Producers in Friesland.

Q. How do Wisconsin farmers benefit from ethanol production and use?

A. The use of grain for ethanol adds up to 10-15 cents for every bushel of corn for Wisconsin farmers. Ethanol is a value-added product from a locally-produced renewable resource. A by-product of ethanol is distiller’s grain that is a valuable low-cost feed for livestock.

Q. What does the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition have to say about ethanol?

A. “It is the Coalition's goal to increase the use of ethanol based fuels, to decrease the nation's dependence on imported energy resources, improve the environment and stimulate the national economy. This will be accomplished through a coordinated set of activities designed to educate and demonstrate to the public the benefits of ethanol use; to encourage ethanol fuel production and use through research and market development efforts; and to make investments in infrastructure to support expansion of the ethanol market.  The Coalition supports the production of ethanol from corn or other domestic, renewable resources using sustainable agricultural methods and encourages its use in environmentally acceptable applications.” Wisconsin is a founding member of the coalition.

Q. Won’t this result in lower gas mileage?

A. Slightly. Some studies indicate a 2 percent reduction in mileage, but there are so many driving condition variables that any change in mileage would be negligible.

Q. If mileage drops, won’t this require me to buy more fuel, costing me more?

A. No. Even if there is a slight decrease in mileage, the net amount of gas that would be required to get the same miles from a tank of gas would still be less. Ethanol use clearly results in a NET SAVINGS OF GAS. Plus, the use of ethanol is projected to reduce the cost of fuel by 2-4 cents a gallon.

Example: All driving conditions from tankful to tankful would have to be exactly alike to make a difference. A car with a 15 gallon tank, getting 30 miles per gallon would get a total of 450 miles. An “E10” blended fuel would be a tank of gas with 13.5 gallons of gas and 1.5 gallons of ethanol. With a 2% drop in mileage, this car would get a total of 441 miles, 9 miles less. To make up for the loss of 9 miles would require an additional one-third gallon (just more than a quart) of “E10” fuel. Even with the additional fuel to make up a negligible 9 miles of lost mileage, it would still result in using 1.23 gallons less of gas, or 8.2% less gas.

Gas Savings

Q. So won’t his eventually cost me more?

A. No. Again, the difference would be negligible because driving conditions would have more of an impact on mileage than a change in fuel. If driving conditions from tankful to tankful would have to be exactly alike, it would cost about 30-cents more for an entire tankful to get the same miles with E10 compared to all gas. Remember, you will still be buying 1.23 fewer gallons of gas because of the ethanol blend, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. And you will be running a cleaner burning car.