An interesting study of attitudes toward ethanol blends from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The latest Badger Poll found a majority of Wisconsinites support the use of ethanol blends in gasoline if it keeps jobs in the state and reduces air pollution.
However, that support dropped considerably if those surveyed were told it might reduce gas mileage.
The study found actual knowledge about ethanol is mixed. For instance, 53% of respondents knew ethanol burned cleaner than gasoline, 41% thought it was the same and 6% thought it was dirtier.
41% of those surveyed thought ethanol caused less damage to the environment, 44% thought it was about the same as gasoline while 15% though ethanol did more damage than gasoline. Many in that last group though ethanol's environmental benefits were overstated and did not include conversion of forests and grassland into farmland.
Of the 556 randomly selected individuals surveyed, 46% doubted if ethanol production had any impact on U.S. jobs, 43% thought it did increase jobs and 10% thought the renewable fuel led to a decrease in jobs.
On the price side, 41% thought ethanol had no affect on the price they pay at the pump, 31% thought it made the price higher and only 28% thought ethanol made the price they pay lower.
The study found support for ethanol was highest among people who were younger, more educated, Democrats along with those living in counties where an active biofuels plant is running.
Bret Shaw, Assistant Professor with the U.W. College of Ag and Life Sciences says he thinks that with time, as the technology improves and renewable fuels move away from corn-based ethanol to other sources, Americans will increasingly see renewable fuels as a viable alternative to petroleum-based fuels.
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