Time for Action on Ethanol and Switchgrass

By Dr. Terry McGuire
ST. MARY'S TODAY

Some people say that back during the beginning of prohibition, strange sounds could be heard in the woods all over Southern Maryland, particularly when the moon was full. Eventually, the crackling of burning green wood firing up large copper kettles boiling in the night became commonplace as the demand for whiskey increased. Some say refined sugar came down from Baltimore warehouses on the old rail lines to boost yields, and that more than a few boats actually delivered the product in barrels to the D.C. wharf in sight of the Congress that passed the law making it illegal. Bootleggers seemed to always know what country roads to take. Rumor has it that one fellow had a near army of unemployed young men traveling from the city and returning with their cars full of the fresh brew for the Nation’s Capitol. Of course, time exaggerates moonshine stories and very few, if any, of the good ‘ole boys involved are still around.
It is now quite clear that ethanol is about to become a part of out lives. Many gasoline outlets are already using 10% ethanol, while the number of available E-85 ethanol pumps is growing rapidly. The sudden change is fueled by the rising gasoline prices all of us have experienced recently. One estimate for this year alone states that 215 billion bushels of corn or 20% of the corn crop will be distilled into ethanol. Three new ethanol plants came on line in Iowa last month, including the farmer owned and operated Tall Corn plant in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Already, Iowa Democrat Senator Tom Harkins and Illinois Republican Senator Richard Lugar are pushing for 60 billion gallons of ethanol and soybean diesel by the year 2030.
Many are looking at Brazil which is producing nearly 4 billion gallons of ethanol each year, providing about 40% of its needs. Brazil is blessed with the largest sugarcane crop in the world and refines half for sugar and converts the other half to ethanol. The most significant fact based on 2004 and 2005 figures available is that Brazil can produce ethanol for about 60 cents a gallon while it costs us about $1.40 a gallon. India is the second largest sugarcane grower and has about 15-29 ethanol plants up and running.
Europe is in the forefront in Biofuels used in diesel engines, with Germany the leader. The E.U has set a goal of 5.75% of their needs by 2010. The U.S. is gearing up after a $1 a gallon subsidy which was passed in 2003. Ethanol production from Corn yields 354 gallons per acre compared to 714 gallons from Sugar beet and 662 gallons from Sugarcane. Palm oil{508} and Coconut oil{230} seem to be far superior to Soybean oil{56} for Biodiesel, but soybeans are a slam-dunk due to their availability. Another figure of importance is net units of energy for every unit invested. Ethanol from Sugarcane has an eight to one ratio compared to 1.5 for corn.
Switchgrass just might be the answer in the U.S. for conversion to alcohol, yielding 1,150 gallons per acre with a net energy of 4. This puts it even above Sugarcane’s yield{1150-662 gallons}, although it uses more energy to process it{8-4}. It is a native U.S. grass that was coveted by the early cattlemen because it grew naturally and abundantly on the Great Plains. According to David Bransby of Auburn University, its nativity makes it disease and microbe resistant. It needs minimal fertilizer, practically no chemicals, and has a 6-8 ton average yield. It develops a deep root system, is a natural nutrient filter, and would be an excellent environmental buffer along river edges and stream banks.
All of this seems to be the answer for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. As we know, fossil fuel is releasing too much CO-2 into the atmosphere. Switchgrass absorbs CO-2 into the plant and also binds carbon in its roots, thus further reducing the amount of CO-2 in the air. And we must remember that when we factor in the fewer number of trips over land compared to traditional crops with even less fossil fuel burn, this grass has a huge column of benefits.
Of course, one major drawback is transportation, but that could be handled though our existing rail system. In addition to ethanol production, it also can be co-fired in existing power plants. Another problem is that we have a whole bunch of corn and very little switchgrass. It takes three years for the grass to reach full yield, with only one third the amount in the first year. Enzymes are used to breakdown the cellulose in the switchgrass and it does not need the best land to grow. It is also a perennial grass so it can be cut regularly without replanting. According to Ronald Bailey, a Reason science correspondent, “last year the U. S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture estimated that it would take one billion tons of dry biomass to produce enough ethanol to replace one-third of U. S. demand for transport fuels.” In essence, this is saying that we have a way to reduce our foreign oil dependence by one third. Switchgrass could yield about ten tons per acre, which would mean we would need about 100 million acres dedicated to switchgrass. With 67 million acres of cropland in pasture and 39 million acres already sitting idle, this can be done.
It takes someone paying attention and a go-ahead from Congress, but Maryland should move ahead on its own. Carnegie Mellon University just released a study concluding that “ethanol from the dry brown switch grass, a cellulosic material, could be made in sufficient quantities to deliver 16 percent ethanol fuel to all customers in the U. S.”
Prior to World War II, Studebaker supplied the Philippines with a truck that ran on 100% ethanol, while McCormick-Deering sold them alcohol fueled tractors. We have the technology to do this, folks, and it should be a priority now. Combined with real conservation and a sincere effort by the automobile industry, ethanol production is now a National Security issue.