Production of corn-based ethanol has grown substantially in the U.S. over the past decade. The biofuel, made up of corn or similar organic, renewable material, has had its ups and downs as far as federal incentives for its expansion as an industry. There are a number of books that provide information on issues surrounding the use of ethanol, including its impact on the food versus fuel debate and its ability to reduce reliance on foreign fuels.

•Sustainable Ethanol

An excellent resource for insight on the food versus fuel debate, Sustainable Ethanol doesn't go for emotion, but instead discusses in mostly unbiased terms both the benefits and the limitations of the country's ethanol industry. Learn why ethanol production can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, despite energy input. Understand how ethanol is produced and the emerging technologies that have made the process more efficient and better for the environment. This book also takes a broader perspective, explaining how the rise in petroleum prices has spawned development of biofuels on a number of fronts. It also explains how ethanol affects fuel efficiency and how automakers are working to improve fuel economy for future cars running on ethanol blends. Refreshing is the author's insight into how sustainable farming practices have answered to many of the concerns over impacts on food production and reliance of fossil fuels in farming practices. It also explains the next generation biofuel cellulosic ethanol's use of waste material in biofuel production that is changing how ethanol impacts food production and the environment.
Publisher: Prairie Oak Publishing
Book Format: Paperback
Author: Jeffrey Goettemoeller
Pages: 196
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•Alcohol Can Be a Gas! Fueling an Ethanol Revolution for the 21st Century

Information on ethanol technology from a practical, how-to perspective is often limited to trade publication articles or word of mouth. But in this book, author David Blume has pulled together the most pertinent information all in one place on ethanol and other alcohol fuels. You will learn how proponents of the technology believe ethanol production technology will lead to the U.S. becoming a producer of endless energy rather than continuing to use up nonrenewable fuels at a rapid rate. The book stresses the urgency of developing biofuel production but also points out that the process itself must be given the strictest of attention to ensure no harm to the environment. The author provides a thorough discussion of his views on the current power-holders controlling energy supplies and the potential changes that could be in store for future energy supplies if biofuels are the focus.
Publisher: International Institute for Ecological Agriculture; 1 edition (November 1, 2007)
Book Format: Paperback
Author: David Blume
Pages: 640
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•Gasoline, Diesel and Ethanol Biofuels from Grasses and Plants

Don't expect a quick read or a small price tag when picking up this book, but if you want a very thorough text that addresses both dwindling fossil fuel supplies and degradation of the environment, you will probably find this volume worth the read. Acknowledging that first-generation biofuels are already on the market, this book focuses instead on introducing its readers to the next generation of biofuels--those produced from mostly waste products, like biomass, forest and agriculture residue and corn stover, among other resources. In addition to identifying these resources, the author describes the various technologies used to process them into diesel and gasoline. It is clear this hefty text is meant to provide a very thorough volume of information on second-generation biofuels and their related technologies, touching on economic and environmental issues as well.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (April 19, 2010)
Book Format: Hardcover
Author: Ram B. Gupta
Pages: 246
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