Corn and Ethanol

Phin here... I know many of you are concerned about the use of corn ethanol (E85) and we hear you loud and clear. We share your concerns. That is why we want to stress that our campaign goals are to increase auto fuel efficiency to stop global warming and reduce dependence on oil.

We know that ethanol produced from corn is only one near-term solution to our dependence on oil. Other low carbon fuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, electricity (with the development of plug-in hybrid vehicles) and hydrogen, will play a larger role in our path to long-term energy independence.

So why, you ask, do we have so much corn imagery and references in our videos?

We were looking for a message that would get all of you to take notice of the urgency of these issues and make your voices heard, loud and clear. I think we have done that.

As for corn, well, putting Ben Affleck into a corn suit is just plain funny. He was a real sport to do it and we are grateful to him for doing it.

And while a lot of people are writing us to say corn is not the answer, everyone is writing to tell us what they think we can do to increase fuel efficiency and reduce pollution. And that is what this campaign is all about.

We understand that cellulosic ethanol (made from agricultural waste and crops such as switchgrass) is preferable to corn ethanol because it requires less water and energy to produce, does not directly affect food prices, and emits fewer greenhouse gases. However, while we already know how to produce corn ethanol, scientists are still figuring out the best ways to produce affordable cellulosic ethanol.

Further, Congress has mandated the production of ethanol. Auto companies plan to have 8 million flex fuel cars on the road by the end of next year. Therefore, the Center for American Progress Action Fund believes that E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) ought to be available so that drivers can use this cleaner fuel in their flex fuel car, and achieve reductions in oil use and global warming pollution. The Wall Street Journal and others documented the road blocks that big oil companies put in the way of service stations to limit the sale of E-85 since it competes with their gasoline. Our videos urge the removal of these roadblocks by Congress.

Our aim in these videos was not to single out corn ethanol as "the answer" to our dependence on oil. We simply intended to start a discussion and increase awareness about alternative low carbon fuels, and to have a little fun in the process. After all, it is harder to dress up as agricultural waste than an ear of corn.

The more we holler about the issue, the more likely Congress will notice and do something real about it. So keep hollering. We like it. Even if you think corn is not the answer. And remember, the other half of this campaign, 35 miles per gallon fuel economy standards by 2020, could reduce more oil use and global warming pollution than either type of ethanol.

If you are interested in learning more about alternative fuels and how they stack up against each other, check out this article from the Center for American Progress.

Remember, this is about reducing emissions and dependence on oil. We have a lot of work to do and we have to start immediately. If corn helps us start sooner, then great. In the long run, there will be better fuels to use and we should transition to them as soon as possible.

So keep up the buzz and keep the pressure on Congress. Thanks for your support.

Phin