US Ethanol Production Reaches 13.3 Billion Gallons

Despite the worst weather in 50 years and declining domestic consumption of motor fuel caused by weak economy, homegrown ethanol production in the United States, the world's second largest ethanol producer, reached an estimated 13.3 billion gallons (50.3 billion liters) in 2012, down from 13.9 billion gallons in 2011, according to a study commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

This level of production, the second highest annual production ever recorded, directly and indirectly created a total of 383,260 jobs that brought in $30.2 billion in household income and contributed $43.4 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The RFA report entitled Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States also highlights the role of the US ethanol industry in improving the environment and reducing American dependence on petroleum oil.

According to the RFA, there are 211 ethanol plants in the US located in 29 states as of January this year. The states of Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota are the top ethanol producing states. Ethanol represents approximately 10 percent of the US gasoline supply and can be found in more than 96 percent of all gasoline sold. The majority of Americans are using 10 percent blends of ethanol or E10 and automakers had begun manufacturing vehicles designed for much higher blends.