Corn Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel: Technical and Economic Issues

As the world's supply of petroleum decreases, the search for renewable alternative fuels has become very active. Corn ethanol has been utilized as an alternative automotive fuel throughout the United States and has infiltrated the agricultural industry; stimulating the economy. As new technology emerges and the need for independence from foreign sources of petroleum becomes more evident an analysis must be made to determine whether existing alternatives to petroleum are temporary solutions or long term solutions. There are many technical and economic issues that line the current debate behind the longevity of the use of corn ethanol as an alternative fuel. Ethanol is one of many alternatives to petroleum that must be utilized in the United States' transition to a renewable energy-based economy, yet corn ethanol alone is not a viable replacement for the future of our current petroleum driven industry.