The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed criticism of a draft report from EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), which questions whether increasing ethanol usage can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions versus gasoline or diesel. The draft report, slated for discussion at SAB’s upcoming meeting, calls on EPA to carefully examine the scientific evidence surrounding claims that corn ethanol offers lower lifecycle GHG emissions than petroleum-based fuels.
The draft report states that determining whether corn starch ethanol use reduces GHG emissions relative to gasoline and diesel is crucial in assessing the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) impact on climate. It suggests there is a reasonable chance that substituting corn ethanol for gasoline or diesel may result in minimal or no climate benefits, prompting SAB to recommend further research into the role of the RFS in reducing GHG emissions.
The report highlights the need for additional scientific research, particularly on issues related to land use, such as the impact of increased ethanol demand due to the RFS on cropland expansion versus corn production. It also emphasizes the necessity of studying the water and climate consequences of nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers used in corn cultivation.
The draft report suggests that offering incentives for corn ethanol based on the cultivation and processing methods of the corn feedstock could reduce uncertainty regarding ethanol’s lifecycle GHG emissions. It encourages EPA to explore the feasibility of providing incentives to ethanol producers using carbon capture technology and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices for corn feedstock.
In response, NCGA criticized the report’s conclusions, citing research supporting their assertion that corn ethanol has significantly lower lifecycle GHG emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels. The NCGA cited studies, including research from the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and academic research, which showed substantial GHG emission reductions from corn ethanol.
NCGA CEO, Neil Caskey, expressed concern over the SAB report in a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, highlighting the multitude of studies confirming the environmental benefits of corn ethanol. Caskey also challenged the report’s claims regarding land use, emphasizing the consistent productivity improvements in corn farming, which have led to higher yields using less land. Caskey argued that any measures hampering ethanol usage could complicate President Biden’s climate goals, which are likely to require biofuels like corn ethanol for success. He urged EPA to consider the extensive research and scientific evidence supporting ethanol’s environmental benefits before taking further actions related to this biofuel. Caskey is set to deliver verbal remarks to SAB during its upcoming meeting.
