Does size of the ethanol plant make a difference?
Scientists have done studies to determine the adverse effects of different sized ethanol plants on economies as well. One of the downsides to having a larger plant is the slower increase in job availability. A plant that doubles in size will only support 28 percent more jobs than it did before. The positive impact on the local economy, therefore, is only about 28 percent better. Communities tend to give ethanol plants long-term tax breaks as well. Increased truck traffic can have a negative effect on community finances through damage repair of area roads and bridges. Economists can help communities estimate potential long range costs and compare them to the benefits of a local ethanol plant. Even so, increased truck traffic still tends to annoy citizens, so there are other factors to consider as well. Do we have enough corn to make ethanol and feed livestock? A large amount of the corn produced in Iowa typically is used as feed for livestock. Byproducts from ethanol production still ca
Scientists have done studies to determine the adverse effects of different sized ethanol plants on economies as well. One of the downsides to having a larger plant is the slower increase in job availability. A plant that doubles in size will only support 28 percent more jobs than it did before. The positive impact on the local economy, therefore, is only about 28 percent better. Communities tend to give ethanol plants long-term tax breaks as well. Increased truck traffic can have a negative effect on community finances through damage repair of area roads and bridges. Economists can help communities estimate potential long range costs and compare them to the benefits of a local ethanol plant. Even so, increased truck traffic still tends to annoy citizens, so there are other factors to consider as well. Do we have enough corn to make ethanol and feed livestock? A large amount of the corn produced in Iowa typically is used as feed for livestock. Byproducts from ethanol production still ca
