US-Mexico ethanol workshop shares information of ethanol benefits

Mexico's Secretariat of Energy (SENER) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently hosted a workshop to inform Mexican authorities of ethanol’s quality of life benefits.

US researchers, alongside with Colombian and Paraguayan regulators, held information sessions at the two-day meeting in Mexico City on the quality of life benefits and successful implementation of biofuel programmes.

Environmental issues were a specific focus of the event, with topics covered including ozone formation, air quality in high altitude metropolitan areas like Mexico City, and ethanol’s effects in vehicles and on health.

The economic, social, and environmental advantages and disadvantages of ethanol in comparison to other oxygenates such as MTBE and aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, were also discussed in depth.

Among the experts were representatives from the National Federation of Biofuels of Colombia, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Energy For All.

From the US, there were experts from Oakridge Labs, the American Lung Association, Urban Air Initiative, Growth Energy, the US Grains Council, University of Illinois-Chicago, and Lifecycle Associates, as well as a number of independent consultants who are considered experts in their respective fields.

In each of the cases covered in the workshop, scientific data was shown on the effects of ethanol use and the benefits reached on the mentioned areas, leading to technological improvements and widespread benefits.

The workshop was one part of a larger effort by the US industry to share information with Mexican regulators as they consider increased use of ethanol produced locally from sorghum or imported from the US.

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, called such workshops “extremely important” for sharing knowledge and experiences about ethanol.

“In the US, we have seen ethanol reduce harmful emissions, create jobs, and provide consumer choice and savings at the pump," said Skor.

At the conclusion of the workshop, USDA and SENER agreed that it would be helpful to establish a bilateral ethanol working group to continue the dialogue established in Mexico City.

"Biofuels have been critical in the fight to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in our most congested cities. We look forward to working together with Mexico as it evaluates the benefits that biofuels can offer," said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO at the Renewable Fuels Association.