What is Ethanol?
• Ethanol is a clear, colorless, alcohol fuel made mainly from the starches and sugars found in grains, such as corn, sorghum, wheat, and barley. Ethanol can also be made from sugar cane, beets, cheese whey, as well as potato skins, rice and yard clippings.
• Ethanol is produced from the starch and sugars in grain. The protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals in the grain are concentrated during ethanol production and then sold as a high-value livestock feed.
• Corn is the main ingredient for ethanol in the U.S. due to its abundance and low price.
• The production of ethanol is from field corn fed to livestock, not corn for human consumption, and does not reduce the amount of food available.

Ethanol and Agriculture
• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ethanol production adds 25-50 cents to the value of a bushel of corn, or as much as $5.5 billion over the entire crop.
• Ethanol production is the third largest use of U.S. corn, utilizing a record 1.26 billion bushels of corn in 2004.
• The ethanol industry processed a record 11% of the domestic corn crop and 12% of the domestic grain sorghum crop into ethanol and valuable feed co-products.
• Since 1990, farmer-owned cooperatives are responsible for the majority of new ethanol production capacity
• A modern dry-mill ethanol plant produces 2.8 gallons of ethanol and 17 pounds of highly valuable feed by-products, called distillers grains, from one bushel of corn.

Ethanol & Engine Performance
• Ethanol-blended fuels are approved under the warranties of all major auto manufacturers marketing vehicles in the U.S. Some even recommend ethanol use for its clean burning benefits.
• Ethanol-blended fuels account for approximately 30% of all automotive fuels sold in the U.S.
• All mainstream manufacturers of power equipment, motorcycles, snowmobiles and outboard motors permit the use of ethanol blends in their products.
• With a 113 octane rating, ethanol is the highest performance fuel on the market and keeps today’s high-compression engines running smoothly.

Ethanol and the Environment
• The use of 10% ethanol blends reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 12-19% compared with conventional gasoline.
• In 2004, ethanol use in the U.S. reduced C02-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 7.03 million tons, equal to removing the annual emissions of more than one million cars from the road.
• Ethanol reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30% - even in new cars. It also reduces tailpipe fine particulate matter (PM) emissions by 50%. (Source: Smog Reyes, February 2004)
• Ethanol is one of the best tools we have to fight air pollution from vehicles. Ethanol contains 35% oxygen. Adding oxygen to fuel results in more complete fuel combustion, thus reducing harmful tailpipe emissions. Ethanol also displaces the use of toxic gasoline components such as benzene, a carcinogen. Ethanol is non-toxic, water soluble and quickly biodegradable.

Ethanol and the Economy
• The production of ethanol sparks capital investment, economic development and job creation in communities across America while providing value-added markets for farmers.
• Ethanol use lowers the cost of gasoline to consumers by expanding U.S. fuel supplies and reducing the need to import more expensive high-octane, petroleum-based gasoline components or crude oil.
• In 2004, the ethanol industry supported the creation of more than 147,000 jobs in all sectors of the U.S. economy, boosting U.S. household income by $4.4 billion.
• Ethanol plants are located in 20 states across the country, mainly in the Midwest. A Texas ethanol plant is underway in the Panhandle area.

Other Ethanol Facts
• Any amount of ethanol can be blended in to gasoline – the most common varieties being:
• E10 – 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline

E10 is approved for use in any make or model of vehicle sold in the U.S. Many auto makers recommend its use because of its high performance, clean-burning characteristics.

• E85 – 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline

E85 is an alternative fuel for use in Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). There are currently more than 4 million FFVs on America’s roads today.

(Source: Renewable Fuels Association)

Biodiesel

What is Biodiesel
• Biodiesel is produced from farm grown renewable crops, such as cottonseed, soybeans, canola, or even recycled cooking oils.
• Biodiesel is cleaner-burning renewable fuel for diesel engines.
• Biodiesel is renewable, which means we can always make more.

How is Biodiesel Made?
• Through a chemical process called transesterification whereby glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil
• Process leaves behind two products – methyl esters (chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (by-product used in soaps and other products)

Biodiesel Production
• Plants producing only biodiesel provide 110 million gallons a year.
• Texas leads the nation with 7 biodiesel production plants, and more planned!

Biodiesel and the Environment
• Biodiesel has fewer harmful emissions compared to petroleum diesel helping to keep our air cleaner. • Biodiesel helps keep our air cleaner
- Cuts particulate matter emissions
- Reduces the carbon monoxide diesel engines produce
- Reduces ozone forming potential by 50%
- Reduces sulfur dioxide, a contributor to acid rain

Retail Biodiesel Outlets in Texas
• The following cities have one or more biodiesel retail outlets: Addison, Amarillo, Austin, Carl’s Corner, Fort Worth, Houston, Keller, Midlothian and Texas City
• For a biodiesel retail listing visit: http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodiesel/retailfuelingsites/
• For more information about biodiesel visit www.biodiesel.org

Biodiesel and Your Engine
• Biodiesel functions in the engine similar to petroleum diesel, yet offers many operating benefits such as:

- Higher lubricity - High BTU content - Reduces certain emissions by more than 20% - Safer to store and handle - Does not require expensive modifications to engines

• B20 is 20% biodiesel added to 80% petroleum diesel which the U.S. Department of Energy recommends for year-round use in any diesel engine.
• Most major engine companies have stated formally that the use of blends up to B20 will not void their parts and workmanship warranties. This includes blends below 20% biodiesel, such as the 2% biodiesel blends that are becoming more common.
• With biodiesel that meets the D-6751 specification, there have been over 45 million miles of successful, problem-free, real-world operation with B20 blends in a wide variety of engines, climates, and applications.

(Source: National Biodiesel Board, Jefferson City, Missouri)

 

Wind Energy PDF

Texas Wind Energy Potential (Chart)
• The mountain passes and ridgetops of the Trans-Pecos exhibit the highest average wind speeds in Texas. Since the wind in mountainous terrain can change abruptly over short distances, the best wind farm locations in West Texas are quite site specific.
• The Panhandle contains the state’s greatest expanse with high quality winds. Well-exposed locations atop the caprock and hilltops experience particularly attractive wind speeds.
• South of Galveston, the Texas coast experiences consistent, strong sea breezes that may prove suitable for commercial development.

What is needed for wind to reach its full potential in the U.S.?
Long-term Consistent Support

- Expiration and extension cycles of the federal production tax credit inflict a high cost on the industry, cause large lay-offs, and hold up investments.

Nondiscriminatory access to transmission lines

- Because wind is variable, wind plant owners cannot guarantee delivery of electricity for transmission at a scheduled time – wind energy needs a new system that recognizes the different nature of wind plants and allows them to compete on a fair basis.

New Transmission Lines

- The entire transmission system of the wind-rich High Plains, which covers the central one-third of the U.S., needs to be extensively redesigned and redeveloped.

Potential Electricity Production on Windy Lands in Texas

	Wind Power Class	Area (km2)	Percent of State Land	Potential Capacity (MW)	Potential Production (Billion kWh)	% of Texas Electric Consumption	Commercial Viability
	3	143,400	21.13%	396,000	860	371%	Marginal
	4	29,700	4.38%	101,600	231	100%	Good
	5	5,000	0.74%	21,600	48	21%	Very Good
	6	300	0.04%	1,600	4	2%	Excellent
	Total	178,400	26.29%	524,800	1,143%	493%

• Even using only Class 5 and 6 lands, wind power could generate a significant portion of the state’s electricity needs.

• Texas contains enough Class 4 wind resources to produce all of the electricity currently consumed in the state

Renewable Energy begins on the Farm and Ranch
• Corn + Ethanol Production = Fuel for Cars
• Oil Crops (soybeans, cotton) + Biodiesel Production = Fuel for Diesel Engines
• Suitable Farm & Ranch Land + Wind Turbines = Electricity for Consumers