The ethanol industry has recently come into direct conflict with the EPA’s Science Advisory Board over the board’s claim that corn ethanol has minimal impact on climate change, when compared to traditional gasoline. This statement has been met with resistance from industry leaders, including Geoff Cooper, the head of the Renewable Fuels Association, who argues that research evidence suggests that corn ethanol can lead to a 40 to 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Renewable Fuels Association has criticized the EPA board for drawing their conclusions from a limited range of research. They also argue that the board’s decision to exclude biofuel scientists from their panel has led to an incomplete understanding of the impact and potential of biofuels like corn ethanol.
The EPA board’s argument is heavily reliant on a study from the University of Wisconsin. This study suggests that the carbon footprint of corn ethanol is uncertain and may not offer any significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This has been a point of contention for the ethanol industry, who argue that the board’s reliance on this singular study is not representative of the wider body of research available.
The EPA Board’s claim that data regarding the expansion of cropland for ethanol production is hard to verify has also been disputed. According to the EPA’s own reviews, there has been a decline in cropland since 2007. This suggests that there is a need for further, more comprehensive research in this area to fully understand the impact of ethanol production on land use.
A report from EPA advisors further complicates the situation. The report suggests that biofuels, like ethanol, offer minimal benefits in addressing climate change and may have a similar or even greater carbon intensity than gasoline. This has been met with resistance from biofuel trade groups, including the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy. They have requested a meeting with the EPA to discuss the report’s findings, which they criticize as a “distorted, anti-ethanol analysis.”
The ethanol industry, represented by organizations such as Growth Energy, maintains that advancements in corn production and ethanol processing have led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This stands in stark contrast to the EPA Board’s claim, highlighting the need for more research, dialogue, and understanding in this contentious area of climate science.
