Ethanol production: US Department of Energy plans to spend $36 million on technologies to lower emissions
The US Department of Energy is investing $36 million in technologies to reduce emissions from synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in corn and sorghum cultivation for ethanol production. The goal is to decrease fertilizer usage while maintaining crop yields, as agriculture accounts for 11% of US greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer application comprise half of agricultural emissions. The ethanol industry seeks growth opportunities through federal and state subsidies by decreasing fuel emissions, despite a recent setback in qualifying for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced plans to invest $36 million in technologies aimed at reducing emissions from the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer in corn and sorghum cultivation for ethanol production.
This funding will support projects that aim to lower the amount of fertilizer needed on farms while maintaining crop yields, according to the agency.
Agriculture contributes approximately 11% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Nitrous oxide emissions, partly resulting from nitrogen fertilizer application, comprise about half of these agricultural emissions, the agency noted.
The ethanol industry, seeking growth opportunities amid the rise of electric vehicles reducing the gasoline market, stands to benefit from lucrative federal and state subsidy programs by further decreasing fuel emissions.
However, ethanol producers faced a setback in April when the Treasury Department issued guidance that made it nearly impossible for ethanol to qualify for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
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