THE GREEN OPTION
Tuesday, September 12, 2006An NBR Series -- PREMIERES Tuesday, September 12, 2006
A three-part series examining ethanol's potential as a fuel source.
As Americans see more of their paychecks evaporate under the heat of high prices at the pump, they are starting to pay greater attention to alternative fuels - particularly ethanol. At first glance, this bio-based fuel seems ideal. However, as NBR Chicago Bureau Chief Diane Eastabrook reports, many other factors must be weighed when considering this green option.
THE GREEN OPTION reports include:
Part One: The Ethanol Option
This report takes a broad look at ethanol's potential as a fuel source and includes interviews with Philip Flynn of Alaron Trading and Gregory Webb of Archer Daniels Midland.
Read transcript of Part One.
Watch Part One.
Part Two: The Ethanol Producers
This report profiles America's leading producers of ethanol fuel, including Archer Daniels Midland and Aventine.
Read transcript of Part Two.
Watch Part Two.
Part Three: The Corn Effect
This report follows the impact ethanol's rise as a fuel source will have on farmers and the food chain.
Read transcript of Part Three.
Watch Part Three.
For more information about ethanol and alternative fuels, check out these external sites:
- American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE)
ACE is a non-profit organization composed of farmers, businesses, and other "groups in support of ethanol." This site contains info about ethanol manufacturing and use. - Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
ADM is one of the ethanol producers profiled in Diane Eastabrook's series. - Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc.
- California Energy Commission report 1 (PDF document)
This links to a 2001 report by the California Energy Commission titled, "Costs and Benefits of a Biomass-to-Ethanol Production Industry in California." - California Energy Commission report 2 (PDF document)
This links to a 2004 report by the California Energy Commission titled, "Ethanol Fuel Incentives Applied in the U.S." - General Motors (GM)
GM manufactures FlexFuel vehicles that can run on ethanol. This links to the GM webpage that offers information about these vehicles and E85 ethanol. - National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC)
Based at West Virginia University, NAFTC is a training organization dedicated to promoting "energy independence and the greater use of cleaner transportation in the United States." - National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
This links to the NCGA's webpage that details the economics of ethanol, from the corn grower's perspective. - U.S. Department of Energy
This links to the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, which offers information about ethanol, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This links to the EPA's Alternative Fuels webpage, which offers information about the environmental impact of alternative fuels like ethanol. - University of Minnesota News
This links to a University of Minnesota News article titled, "Ethanol fuel presents a corn-undrum."
Aventine is one of the ethanol producers profiled in Diane Eastabrook's series.
*Clicking these external links will take you off the NBR web site on PBS.org. NBR has no affiliation with these sites.
