The production of ethanol will be increased as a result of a federal requirement. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) requires that the use of ethanol be augmented by the year 2015. “The Energy Independence and Security Act requires the United States to produce 15 billion gallons of corn-derived ethanol annually by 2015 and 16 billion gallons of fuel from cellulosic crops, such as switchgrass, by 2016” (ScienceDaily). However, several professors have found that this increase will have negative consequences. Water and its quality will be affected in particular. First of all, a large quantity of water is necessary to produce ethanol. The researchers involved in the recent study found that corn grown in Nebraska, “…would require 50 gallons of water per mile driven, when all the water needed in irrigation of crops and processing into ethanol is considered” (ScienceDaily). Fuel produced from sorghum grown in Nebraska would require up to 115 gallons of water per mile. The researchers also pointed out that increased demand for ethanol will most likely create more water pollution. This is because of the larger amount of pesticides that will be used to help grow enough crops and because of soil erosion. Dr. Joel G. Burken, one of the researchers involved, knows that it is unlikely that the EISA will be revoked. Instead, the researchers hope that these findings will lead lawmakers to consider other consequences mandates may have. It is important that we help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, but we must be conscious of any “environmental trade-offs” that may result.
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