Ethanol Production Increases in Michigan

Ethanol, made from corn, is increasingly becoming the fuel of the future. In the U.S., production has increased to about 7 billion gallons a year. Acres that harvest corn have increased to 93 million, up from 78 million a year ago. Roughly 45% of all gasoline in the U.S. now is blended with ethanol, moreso in the 10% blend.

Hunts Farm in Davison Township is one of the many farms in the U.S. that is testing corn to be used as ethanol fuel. Currently being harvested, each kernel is measured, weighed, and then it's moisture is checked. Twelve kinds of corn have been tested with the month of November.

This is only one farm of several farms that are testing corn to see if it's truly an answer to high gas prices or if it's only a fad that will soon disappoint. Of course, it isn't the only form of energy to replace oil. Ethanol, however, is changing the ways crops are grown in the greater Flint area and across the nation. Robert Hunt has increased his acres of corn grown by 10% due to the demand of ethanol and upped his percentage he will devote to ethanol usage. As of now, only half of the corn grown is used for ethanol purposes, which in coming years will increase as well.

However, speculation to whether or not ethanol is an easy way out of the oil industry we so rely on day after day or if it's just like grasping straws. Because the fuel won't be delivered through pipelines, it must be shipped which will use up more fuel. The energy of ethanol is quoted to be poor.

There are ways to increase it's efficiency though, including increasing starch content. Having drier corn also makes a difference as less moisture requires less gas to dry the kernels. Ethanol can also be taken from other plants such as potatoes, and if something else can produce higher amounts of ethanol, the industry could explode. One way to increase its usage is to build more plants, taking less energy to transport the fuel.

In Michigan, starting mid-2008, an E85 factory will be built in Corunna, Mich., about 20 minutes from downtown Flint. The plant, constructed by E85 Inc., will be able to produce up to 115 million gallons of ethanol a year. This is the first ethanol plant to be opened in the area, and consequently will offer more jobs for the struggling area. Also, a proposal for other plants have surfaced, including one for the town of Ithaca.

Though many cars are fuel-flex built, the auto industry has been slow to promote the cars that do take ethanol blends. All-American people are more likely to buy a home-based product that they know will be good for the environment as well.