Nebraska professor says switchgrass beats corn ethanol in several ways

Radio Iowa News
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:51 AM
by Josh Mackey, KOGA, Ogallala, NE

While Iowa remains the nation's leading ethanol producer, researchers are finding products other than corn may make a better bio-fuel. Dick Perrin, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska, says cellulosic ethanol made from switchgrass shows promise -- in terms of pollution and in terms of cost.

Perrin says ethanol made from switchgrass may become competitive with corn-based ethanol. He says the fuel made from switchgrass can be delivered for about 80-cents a gallon, versus a $1.25 a gallon for ethanol made from corn. The study found that ethanol made from switchgrass produces 540% more energy than is consumed to make it.

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