Corn Grows Fuel, Iowans Win

Corn Grows Fuel, Iowans Win

Ethanol is the homegrown, cleaner-burning fuel for your family

By Rachel Zumbach

Consumers face choices, big or small, every day. When it comes to the gas pump, finding the best option for you and your family has economic and environmental benefits. Corn ethanol is a clean, affordable and homegrown fuel made right here in Iowa. In addition to being a renewable fuel, ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions, revitalizes rural communities by creating and supporting thousands of jobs, and expands markets for Iowa’s corn growers.

With gas prices hitting all-time highs this year, it is important to find an option that alleviates the harsh prices at the pump and helps to save you money. Whether a soccer parent on the road to a game or a professional heading to work, most people are looking for ways to spend less on fuel. Rest assured, with all vehicles able to use E10 and 96% of vehicles on the road approved to fuel up with E15, ethanol is always a great choice.

A Win for Consumers and Iowa

With 57% of Iowa’s corn being processed at one of the state’s 42 ethanol plants, the renewable fuels industry helps support nearly 46,000 jobs throughout Iowa.

In addition, ethanol provides many health benefits by reducing carbon emissions. The American Lung Association recognizes the benefits of clean-burning ethanol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%. More than two decades ago, they launched the Clean Air Choice ™ campaign to help drivers understand the correlation between the use of ethanol and lung health.

Corn Grows Iowa

Ethanol production supports consumers at the pump through affordable fuel and also many other industries, including livestock farming. In fact, only one-third of the corn kernel is utilized in the process of creating ethanol – starch. This means the rest of the kernel, including the protein, fiber and fat, all become available for animal feed called distillers dried grains (DDGS). Each bushel of processed corn produces 2.8 gallons of ethanol and 16-17 pounds of DDGS. Iowa is not only the leader in producing corn and ethanol, but also DDGS for livestock feed.

In Iowa we grow corn, but the truth is corn grows Iowa. Livestock production and related industries contribute $15.8 billion in value and about 186,000 jobs in Iowa.

Creating Accessibility for Consumers

In Iowa, consumers will soon see more E15 available at local fuel retailers with the passage of the Biofuels Access Bill. Go to iowacorn. org/fuelfinder to locate the nearest fuel retailer and choices.

We are giving away a “Tank of Thanks.”Visit iowafoodandfamily.com/magazine/ethanol-giveaway and enter to win a$75 gift card for clean-burning ethanol.

Iowa Corn Usage

Beyond ethanol, many products depend on corn, from paper goods and cardboard packaging to all the meat, milk, eggs, poultry and other protein products that come from corn-fed animals.

Find the best fuel choice for your vehicle

SUPER UNLEADED 87 OR E10

10% ethanol blend approved for use in all vehicles and approved for small engines, such as lawn mowers, boats and motorcycles. E10 is the most used fuel across the U.S. Save as much as 50 cents per gallon compared to premium.

UNLEADED 88 OR E15

15% ethanol blend approved for 2001 and newer vehicles. The lowest-cost, lowest-carbon fuel choice for more than 96% of cars on the road today. Should not be used in small engines. Save as much as 15-25 cents per gallon compared to E10.

E85

70-85% ethanol blend for use only in Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV). The cleanest and most affordable option for FFV, benefiting your wallet and the environment. Before fueling with E85, check your owner’s manual, also often indicated by a yellow gas cap or ring. Using E85 could save as much as $1 per gallon compared to E10.

#IowansWin by choosing clean-burning, homegrown, moreaffordable ethanol at the pump! Share your next fuel up on socialmedia by using the hashtag #IowansWin to win some “corny swag.”