 |
| Ethanol use continues to increase rapidly in the United States,
according to a recent report released by the U.S. Department
of Energy. |
DOE
Report: Use of Renewable Energy Up 3 Percent in 2003 as Ethanol
Consumption Surges
(8-26-04)
Consumption
of renewable energy increased 3 percent in 2003, with ethanol
usage constituting
a significant portion of that increase,
according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently released “Renewable
Energy Trends 2003” report.
According to the report, ethanol use in the transportation sector
increased from 156 trillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2002
to 220 trillion Btu in 2003, a 41 percent increase. The increase
in ethanol usage was attributed to its primary use as an oxygenate
additive in reformulated gasoline and its replacement of MTBE,
which until recently was the primary oxygenate additive. MTBE
has been shown to contaminate groundwater, and the report noted
MTBE consumption has declined from 313 trillion Btu in 2001 to
225 trillion Btu in 2003.
The report
also provides an overview and historical data for trends in renewable
energy
from 1999 to 2002, including revisions and
preliminary data for 2003. To read the report, click here.