Is corn-based ethanol actually worse for the climate than standard gasoline?
Ethanol makes up 10% of American gasoline, mandated by the 2005 Renewable Fuel Standard to lower emissions. However, recent research challenges the assumption that corn ethanol is a carbon-neutral solution, suggesting it may be significantly more carbon-intensive than previously believed.
The Renewable Fuel Standard was established in 2005 with the goal of reducing fuel emissions by utilizing renewable corn-based ethanol. The premise was that corn absorbs atmospheric carbon while growing, creating a cycle that offsets emissions. However, new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicates that the carbon intensity of corn ethanol is not lower than gasoline and is likely at least 24% higher.
This finding suggests that current regulatory predictions may be inaccurate, potentially leading to unintended increases in emissions. The study highlights the need for prioritizing fuel options that offer verified net emission reductions to avoid relying on flawed environmental accounting.
