EPA shifting focus away from corn-based ethanol

Part of former-President George W. Bush’s legacy is rooted in the success of corn-based ethanol.

Under his watch, the U.S. poured resources into corn through heavy subsidies, thus claiming it as the successor of petroleum despite critics claims against such an endorsement.

Now, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning a shift in focus toward cellulose ethanol, which is made from the byproducts of lawn and tree maintenance such as woodchips and switchgrass.

Proposed changes to the Renewable Fuels Act would require 16 billion gallons of cellulose-based ethanol by 2022, with lesser amounts coming from other types of biofuels.

The goal is to reduce green house emissions caused by producing biofuels, according to an EPA press release. The rules would require cellulose-based fuel to release 60 percent less green house gasses than regular gasoline.

Nobel prize winner Paul Crutzen helped change the face of this issue when he found corn-based ethanol actually is worse for the environment than the oil-based variety.

“As we work towards energy independence, using more homegrown biofuels reduces our vulnerability to oil price spikes that everyone feels at the pump,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. “Energy independence also puts billions of dollars back into our economy, creates green jobs, and protects the planet from climate change in the bargain.”

At the same time, Jackson and other officials tried to keep ties strong with the powerful corn lobby.

“Admittedly, corn ethanol is a bridge to next-generation biofuels, but it is an extraordinarily important bridge,” Jackson said.

Apparently, corn lobbyists are satisfied: The Biotechnical Industry Organization gave the new plan a nod of approval.

With the turn from Bush’s corn-based dreams, President Barack Obama has shown he can create some level of change while still keeping most everyone happy.

By moving toward more sustainable options like cellulose, the U.S. is putting itself in a much better position to deal with real issues such as greenhouse gas emissions in the future.