In June 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture updated its 2002 analysis of the issue and determined that the net energy balance of ethanol production is 1.67 to 1. For every 100 BTUs of energy used to make ethanol, 167 BTUs of ethanol is produced. In 2002, USDA had concluded that the ratio was 1.35 to 1. The USDA findings have been confirmed by additional studies conducted by the University of Nebraska and Argonne National Laboratory.

(Note Biomass Ethanol has a ratio of 2.62 because it uses stitch grass and fast growing trees/weeds.)

These figures take into account the energy required to plant, grow and harvest the corn—as well as the energy required to manufacture and distribute the ethanol.

The net energy balance of ethanol production continues to improve because ethanol production is becoming more efficient. For example, one bushel of corn now yields 2.8 gallons of ethanol—up from 2.5 gallons just a few years ago.

People also forget to factor in the economic benifits of planting, harvesting, local storage and transportation ect..

IMHO the only reason E-10 was so easily adopted by the oil industry is that they didn't have better alternitive to replace MTBE (a replacement for lead as an octane booster) which is being phased out because of enviormental & health concerns. And its cheaper that MTBE

Buy American! Go E85