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Title: Ethanol: fueling America's future

Journal Article · · Forum Appl. Res. Publ. Pol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6112138

By 1979, the federal government had established a comprehensive program to promote the manufacture and use of ethanol fuels produced from renewable resources. As a result of federal tax incentives, investment tax credits, and federal environmental regulations, more than 100 ethanol production facilities capable of producing more than 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol were constructed with private-sector investment exceeding $2 billion. Federal energy policies designed to support he development and commercialization of ethanol fuels are consistent with national efforts to aid the commercial development of other energy technologies such as hydroelectric, solar, nuclear, and petroleum. Today, ethanol-blended fuels are exempt from 6 cents of the 9-cents-per-gallon federal excise tax on gasoline. In addition, 23 states offer sales and excise tax incentives to manufacturers, blenders, and users of ethanol-blended fuels. The author summarizes the benefits of the ethanol program, including it's air pollution abatement qualities. He points out that the energy, drive, and capital of private enterprise in ethanol production have returned $6 to every $1 provided by government incentive.

OSTI ID:
6112138
Journal Information:
Forum Appl. Res. Publ. Pol.; (United States), Vol. 3:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English