March 6 --
Production and demand for ethanol in the United States hit record highs in 2006, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration and the Renewable Fuels Association.
Production of ethanol in 2006 reached 4.86 billion gallons, an average of 317,000 barrels per day or 13.3 million gallons per day. Thatīs an increase of 24.3 percent from 2005.
Meanwhile, demand for ethanol also increased. Demand for ethanol, as calculated by the RFA, reached 5.4 billion gallons, an average of 350,000 barrels per day. That is an increase of 33 percent from 2005.
The demand for ethanol will continue to increase as the nation moves to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, RFA President Bob Dinneen said.
The market for ethanol also has increased as gasoline refiners began abandoning methyl tertiary-butyl ether as an additive last year, he said. Refiners began moving away from MTBE because of concerns about its environmental impact and potential liability.
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