Cellulose Ethanol as a Renewable Resource

Cellulose ethanol is the result of a process of converting biomass into an efficient and renewable fuel that can be used in a variety of endeavors, most notably in the automotive and transportation industries. It is reported that there are many benefits of cellulose ethanol.

For example, using ethanol instead of traditional gasoline lowers greenhouse emissions. The United States department of energy states that it has the potential to lower emissions by up to 90%. It is able to do this because it uses nearly all resources offered by the plants. The fibers that remain from one batch of cellulose ethanol are utilized in the next batch as fuel.

Ethanol also reduces the dependence on foreign oil and increases our own ability to rely on what we produce. It is estimated that in 2004, nearly 65% of oil consumption in the United States came from other countries. It is also possible to temper gasoline supplies by mixing cellulose ethanol and gasoline, thereby extending our resources without sacrificing the quality of fuel.

Cellulose ethanol can also create economic security for communities that may be experiencing hard times. There is a great demand for quality fuel, and those that can produce it are going to reap the rewards.

Though there are apparently many benefits to using ethanol, there are some who claim that it is at least overrated, and at most dangerous. Consider, for example, that the plants used to make the fuel will be removed from the environment. This could promote wind and water erosion, in effect damaging the environment. Also, it appears that some of the rainforests in South America are being cut to facilitate the growth of more suitable crops that can be used for cellulose ethanol. By removing the rainforests, CO2 levels could remain high, damaging the entire ecosystem.