Nebraska's corn fields do more than produce food and feed ingredients. They also help power vehicles across the country. As one of the nation's top corn-producing states, Nebraska plays a leading role in corn-based ethanol production and the growing demand for cleaner energy solutions.
The connection between the corn field and the fuel pump is closer than many consumers realize. Corn grown by Nebraska farmers is transformed into ethanol, a renewable fuel blended with gasoline and used every day by millions of vehicles. From production and bioenergy science to regulatory requirements and economic benefits, ethanol creates opportunities for Nebraska farmers while supporting cleaner transportation fuels across America.
Nebraska: A National Leader in Corn-Based Ethanol Production
Nebraska's fertile soils, favorable climate and irrigation infrastructure help farmers consistently produce high-quality, high-yield corn. Those advantages helped make the state a national leader in corn-based ethanol production. Nebraska ethanol plants convert locally grown corn into ethanol, which is blended with gasoline to create fuel options with less emissions. While E10 remains the most common blend available nationwide, higher ethanol-blended gasoline products such as E15 continue to expand at fuel stations across the United States.
What Are E10 and E15 Fuels?
Ethanol-blended gasoline is identified by the percentage of ethanol it contains. The E10 ethanol-gasoline blend contains up to 10% ethanol with the remainder in gasoline. It is the standard fuel sold at most gas stations and is approved for nearly all gasoline-powered vehicles.
An E15 fuel blend contains a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline. It is approved for use in most automobiles used today. Consumers often find E15 sold as Unleaded 88, another name for the same fuel.
E-15 typically costs less than E10 because it contains more ethanol, which is less expensive than gasoline. It also provides a higher-octane rating for efficient engine performance. Backed by decades of testing, E15 made from Nebraska corn ethanol is a safe, affordable option for eligible vehicles. E85 contains up to 85% ethanol and is designed for flex fuel vehicles built to use higher ethanol concentrations.
How Corn Becomes a Cleaner-Burning Fuel
Field corn kernels are the raw material, or bioenergy feedstock, used in the corn ethanol production process. Only the starch portion of the kernel is used to create this important biofuel from corn. The remaining portions become valuable co-products used in other industries, including livestock farming.
Here's how ethanol is made from corn using the dry-milling process:
- Milling the corn: Corn kernels are ground into a fine powder to release the starch for processing.
- Liquefaction and saccharification: Enzymes are added to the powder to liquify and break the starch down into sugars.
- Fermentation: Yeast is added to ferment the mixture. It converts sugars and produces ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Distillation into pure ethanol: The alcohol is separated and purified into fuel-grade ethanol.
- Denaturing for fuel use: A small amount of denaturant is added so the ethanol can be safely distributed and used as transportation fuel.
Bioenergy Feedstock: Maximizing Every Kernel
Nebraska farmers understand the importance of making the most of every harvested bushel. While starch is used to produce renewable transportation fuels like E15 and E10, portions of the kernel left over from the ethanol-making process are used in other ways. Modern ethanol plants turn these leftover portions of corn into highly nutritious feed for livestock.
The two most common livestock feed ethanol co-products are dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed.
Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS): One of the most common ethanol co-products, DDGS contains protein, fiber, oil and other nutrients remaining after starch removal. It serves as a highly nutritious feed ingredient for beef cattle, dairy cattle and other livestock.
Corn gluten feed: Produced from fiber and other portions of the kernel, corn gluten feed is widely used as a feed ingredient that supports livestock nutrition while reducing waste.
Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
Nebraska agriculture helps the nation meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a federal program designed to increase the use of renewable fuels and reduce reliance on petroleum-based energy. Established by Congress in 2005 and expanded in 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard created a framework for incorporating renewable fuels into the nation's fuel supply.
Corn-based ethanol plays a major role in meeting the RFS goals because corn is a renewable crop that can be grown annually. As a result, Nebraska farmers contribute directly to the production of cleaner transportation fuels.
Reducing America's Dependence on Petroleum
Ethanol is a homegrown energy source produced by Nebraska farmers in Nebraska communities. Every gallon of ethanol blended into the fuel supply helps reduce petroleum dependence and strengthens domestic energy security. Rather than relying exclusively on imported petroleum, ethanol allows the United States to use renewable fuel produced from crops grown close to home.
Environmental Benefits of Ethanol-Blended Fuels
Ethanol offers several environmental advantages when blended with gasoline:
- Reduced emissions: Studies from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Argonne National Laboratory have found that corn ethanol can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40% to 50% compared with conventional gasoline.
- Cleaner burning: Ethanol-blended fuels burn with less emissions than traditional gasoline, helping reduce carbon monoxide, particulate matter and other pollutants that can affect air quality.
- Higher octane: Ethanol naturally increases fuel octane levels, lessening the need for toxic aromatics such as benzene and toluene. This helps reduce air pollution while supporting cleaner-burning fuel formulations.
The Economic Impact of Ethanol on Nebraska
Ethanol delivers significant economic benefits throughout Nebraska. It creates jobs, contributes to state and local economies, drives investment in rural infrastructure and generates tax revenue that supports schools and local governments.
What is the economic impact of ethanol? Ethanol contributes more than $6.2 billion annually to Nebraska's economy. Nationwide, ethanol production supports more than 72,463 direct jobs in 2023 while generating $32.5 billion in household income and contributing $54 billion to the nation's GDP.
Supporting Nebraska Family Farms
The benefits of ethanol extend well beyond ethanol plants. More than 97% of Nebraska farms are family-owned, and many of them are operated by multiple generations. Ethanol creates additional demand for corn and supports a value-added agriculture model that helps farmers capture more value from what they grow. Simply put, thanks to increased demand from ethanol, Nebraska corn provides greater opportunities for family farms to remain productive, competitive, and sustainable for future generations.
Driving Demand for Nebraska-Grown Field Corn
Ethanol production strengthens local economies across Nebraska. Ethanol plants create jobs, attract investment and encourage continued industry growth. Crucially, it expands marketing opportunities for Nebraska corn farmers. By increasing demand for Nebraska field corn, ethanol helps improve farm profitability, supports more stable pricing and provides corn growers with another reliable outlet for their crop.
Fueling a Cleaner Tomorrow with Nebraska Corn
Nebraska's leadership in ethanol production demonstrates how agriculture contributes to a cleaner energy future. Nebraska bioenergy innovation and corn-based ethanol production create value throughout the supply chain. From creating cleaner transportation fuels that help meet federal renewable fuel goals to strengthening the nation's economy, the positive impact of ethanol fuel made in Nebraska reaches far and wide.
To learn more about ethanol, Nebraska agriculture and the future of renewable fuels, follow the Nebraska Corn Board on Facebook and Instagram or explore educational resources online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corn-Based Ethanol Made in Nebraska
How much of Nebraska's corn crop goes to ethanol production?
Approximately 40% of Nebraska's annual corn harvest is used for ethanol production. This makes corn-based ethanol production one of the largest end-uses for the state's field corn.
Is ethanol actually cleaner than regular gasoline?
Yes. According to research from the USDA and Argonne National Laboratory, corn-based ethanol produces 40–50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline on a lifecycle basis. Ethanol blended gasoline widely used in today's vehicles also burn cleaner at the tailpipe, reducing harmful air pollutants.
What's the difference between E10 and E15 fuel?
E10 and E15 are ethanol-gasoline blends used every day by drivers across the country. E10 contains up to 10% ethanol and is approved for use in virtually all gasoline-powered vehicles. E15 contains up to 15% ethanol and is approved by the EPA for use in vehicles model year 2001 and newer. Find out more about ethanol HERE.
Can I use E15 in my car?
If your vehicle is a 2001 model year or newer light-duty car, SUV or pickup truck, then yes, the EPA has approved E15 for use. Always check your owner's manual or the fuel pump label to confirm compatibility.
What happens to the corn after ethanol is extracted?
Only the starch portion of the corn kernel is used to make ethanol. The remaining protein, fiber, fat and nutrients are processed into co-products such as corn oil and feed for livestock. This includes protein-rich feed additives dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS) and corn gluten feed. Due to the close proximity of ethanol plants to feedlots, ethanol co-products are a key part of Nebraska's beef industry.
Does ethanol production compete with food supplies?
No. Nebraska's ethanol industry uses field corn, also called dent corn, which differs from sweet corn grown for human consumption.
How does ethanol production benefit Nebraska's economy?
Nebraska's ethanol industry supports thousands of jobs, contributes billions of dollars to the state's GDP and creates stable demand for the state's corn crop, strengthening family farms and communities around the state.
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