Celebrate Earth Day with renewable fuels

Earth Day was a much bigger deal as a young person. I remember learning all about endangered species, ways to conserve water and the damage littering and pollution can do to the world around us. Commitments to be good environmental stewards were made, class projects ensued. There was genuine excitement about Earth Day.

As adults, Earth Day can often go by without notice. It's not that we don't care about our environment, we just simply don't have those daily reminders that our actions can sometimes have consequences.

One simple task where the vast majority of adults can really make a difference is choosing a cleaner-burning, environmentally-friendly fuel at the pump, like ethanol and biodiesel.

Iowa's farmers are already becoming even better environmental stewards through cover crops, Iowa's voluntary nutrient reduction strategy, better tilling practices, and a host of other efforts. The products they produce are also doing their part.

Ethanol, made mostly from corn, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 34 percent compared to straight gasoline. Pulling up to the pump and choosing 87-octane E10 (fuel containing 10 percent ethanol), E15 for all 2001 and newer vehicles or even E85 for flex-fuel vehicle owners, can greatly reduce air pollution and cut GHG emissions. Ethanol is also cheaper, meaning you can save money while saving the planet!

Meanwhile, biodiesel, made from soybeans, animal fats, corn oil and used cooking oils, is an advanced biofuel, cutting GHG emissions by up to 86 percent, lowering particulate matter and reducing hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent. Further, biodiesel performs better for your engine. Even at just the B5 level (diesel containing 5 percent biodiesel), fuel lubricity and cetane are boosted to increase power and extend the life of your engine. But why stop at just B5? Blends from B11 to B20 and beyond are available in Iowa, and the performance and environmental benefits increase with the biodiesel content.

Choosing a petroleum only product like straight diesel or gasoline does have adverse effects on our land, water and air. So, here's your friendly Earth Day reminder to choose cleaner-burning fuels like ethanol and biodiesel at the pump, and do what's right for our environment.

' T.J. Page is communications director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Comments: info@iowarfa.org; www.IowaRFA.org