There is an increased effort in our state and around the country to search out alternative fuels and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, can be used as an alternative fuel or as an octane-boosting, pollution-reducing additive to gasoline (E85 is representative of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline).  The majority of ethanol is produced from corn, but it can also be produced from many other crops including wheat, barley, milo/sorghum and sweet potatoes. New technology will allow ethanol to be made from cellulosic feedstocks, including corn stalks, grain straw, paper pulp, municipal solid waste, switchgrass and other sources.

All vehicles in the U.S. are ethanol-capable and can use a blend of up to 10 percent ethanol.  Flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) can run on blends of up to 85 percent ethanol (E85) or straight, unleaded gasoline.  DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors have announced plans to double the annual production of FFVs to two million by the year 2010.  There are currently about five million FFVs on the road today.  Other vehicles may be technically converted to E85; however, there are no conversions or after-market parts that have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency as meeting clean exhaust emission standards.

Currently in Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue has charged the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) with the responsibility of assembling stakeholders to develop a long-term, comprehensive statewide energy strategy and with developing an implementation strategy that ensures that Georgia fully leverages federal renewable energy incentives.  The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division was charged with streamlining the permitting and regulatory processes to ensure all proposed renewable energy facilities receive a 90-day permit review.  The Executive Order also requires all state-owned fueling facilities to maximize the purchase of gasoline blended with ethanol and diesel fuel blended with biodiesel for use in state vehicles, when available and economically practicable.

However, while the new ethanol industry is growing, other issues must be resolved before its potential in Georgia can be realized.  These issues relate to the transportation of ethanol, the quality of the ethanol fuel and the lack of infrastructure in the State.  Currently, the method for transporting oil or fuel is through the use of metal pipelines, tanker trucks or railway tanker.  Ethanol differs from traditional fuel because it absorbs water and, in high concentrations, is corrosive to metal pipelines.  Massive quantities of ethanol will need to be transported by tanker trucks or railroads, which is more expensive and complicated.

Since ethanols properties are different than traditional gasoline, there are certain quality control/quality assurance tests and standards that must be achieved before E85 can be sold. Furthermore, storage and dispensing equipment at retail stations must be E85 compatible.  Soft metals such as zinc, brass or aluminum, which are commonly found in conventional fuel storage and dispensing systems, are not compatible with ethanol, especially at the higher concentrations found in E85 motor fuel.  Some nonmetallic materials may also degrade when these materials come in contact with ethanol.

As you can see, our state agencies are working to forge partnerships, and to study and implement possible alternatives to crude oil  including ethanol and biodiesel fuel.  This is no longer just an issue of cleaner air and lower energy prices.  Those are important issues, but this is now an issue of national security, as it is a small step in the effort to curtail our dependence on foreign oil.  Making ethanol and/or biodiesel available for public use also benefits Georgia businesses that can produce these alternative fuels, namely Georgia farmers who produce the materials used to create ethanol and biodiesel fuel.