High-level ethanol blends reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 20% and it can reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100% on a full life-cycle basis. High-level ethanol blends can reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by 30% or more (VOCs are major sources of ground-level ozone formation). As an octane enhancer, ethanol can cut emissions of cancer-causing benzene and butadiene by more than 50%. Sulphur dioxide and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions are significantly decreased with ethanol.

The US now uses more than 15 billion gallons of cleaner, ethanol-blended petrol a year, totalling 12% of fuel sales in the US. Most of it is a 10% blend, but 85% and even 95% blends are now being tested. Ethanol blends are increasingly used in South Africa, while Brazil, the world leader, produces four billion gallons of ethanol a year: all Brazilian fuel contains at least 24% ethanol, and much of it is 100% ethanol (engines can be designed to run on 100% ethanol). Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors all recommend ethanol fuels, and nearly every car manufacturer in the world approves ethanol blends in their warranty coverage.

Ethanol is made by fermenting and then distilling starch and sugar crops -- maize, sorghum, potatoes, wheat, sugar-cane, even cornstalks, fruit and vegetable waste. In our own case we are using sweet sorghum.

Nations around the world are looking towards biofuels to help reduce their spiraling oil (hydrocarbon) import costs, and to mitigate pollution and global warming. Developing, manufacturing, building, installing, and maintaining renewable energy technologies, as is the case with fuel ethanol, has the potential to create new Nigeria-led jobs and powerful modern industries. This will not only serve to empower entrepreneurs and companies to help build a vibrant and diverse economy, it is also a wise economic choice for the long term. As fossil fuel depletes, Nigeria will have diverse, dependable energy sources and be able to strategically benefit from our oil resources.

The other benefits of biofuels include:

• It is not poisonous and it is easy to use in combustion engines.
• It does not cause air pollution and any environmental hazard.
• It does not contribute to carbon dioxide build-up (greenhouse effect)
• It has a higher octane rating than fossil fuels.
• It is an excellent raw material for synthetic chemicals.
• Biofuels provides jobs and economic development in rural areas.
• It reduces a country’s dependence on fossil petroleum and will give Nigeria the opportunity to qualify for carbon credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
• Lastly, ethanol is capable of reducing Nigeria’s adverse foreign trade balance.
• For Nigeria, it will assist in reducing the dependence on the volatile Niger Delta Region for the Country’s energy needs.