In-the-News Update [Issue: Environment]

When you account for the effects on air pollution, food prices, and fuel economy, ethanol-based fuels are likely more harmful than regular gasoline. Pure ethanol fuel is about 33 percent less efficient than pure gasoline fuel which means when gasoline at the pump is diluted with even more ethanol than it is today, fuel economy worsens. This means you need even more gas than normal and that creates a higher strain on the farming industry to produce more corn, which in turn raises the prices of food.

Overall, the slight savings initially at the pump from ethanol may actually end up costing you and the environment more in the long run.