Climate Changed
Ethanol Less Green Than Gas, Study Funded by Biofuel Critics Says
- Corn ethanol’s carbon emissions could be 24% higher than gas
- EPA will propose new biofuel blending targets for this year
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A U.S. program requiring the use of corn-based ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply hasn’t curbed greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison published Monday.
The federal Renewable Fuel Standard has spurred American farmers to escalate land use for corn plantings, leading to more pollution from increased fertilizer use and degraded water quality, according to the report. All of that contributes to carbon emissions from the biofuel that are likely at least 24% higher than gasoline, the study said.