Every day that gas sells for at or near record high prices is a day that should push Minnesota consumers to learn more about E85, the renewable fuel made of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. But then along comes something like a recent study from two professors about how producing ethanol actually takes 29 percent more energy than it creates.

The study, released as Congress debates a federal energy bill that would mandate more ethanol use, at best confuses &045; and at worst, dissuades &045; the buying public about using ethanol-based fuels.

Area residents should not simply shrug off these developments with the belief that it won’t affect them. Yes, that’s an easy attitude to take, but it will do little to end the debate, much less give ethanol a bigger role in the fuel market.

Not only is E85 now substantially cheaper than gas, but it’s renewable and relies on crops such as corn, so it’s as big a boost to agriculture as it is to drivers.

Regarding ethanol’s effectiveness, this editorial board puts more stock in studies that have shown ethanol production generates a positive return on the energy used to produce it.

The latest Department of Agriculture analysis rated the net energy balance of ethanol production at 1.67 to 1. In other words, for every unit of energy used to make ethanol, 1.67 units are created.

These findings that have been confirmed by separate studies at the University of Nebraska and Argonne National Laboratory.

Of course, that doesn’t mean E85 is the perfect fuel. While it is cheaper than gas now, it also does not provide as good of mileage. Typically, vehicles equipped to use E85 or unleaded gas see a 5 percent to 15 percent drop in fuel economy with E85. Obviously, the price difference between E85 and gas determines which to buy.

Sen. Mark Dayton last month made news with a statewide tour promoting E85. Although Minnesota’s congressional delegation favors more ethanol production, Dayton has become an avowed supporter through not only his tour, but actions in the Senate.

In May, the Senate adopted an amendment he co-authored that would require all automakers to display decals inside the gas tank covers and windshields of vehicles that have the capacity to run on E85, beginning in model year 2007.

The Senate measure suggests the 8 billion gallons, while the House seeks about 5 billion gallons, up from the current 4 billion gallons used nationwide every year.

In addition, Minnesota legislators this session called for a doubling of the required ethanol content of gasoline sold in state from 10 percent to 20 percent by 2013.

Such efforts are slowly but surely raising awareness of E85 and ethanol. Central Minnesotans can’t help but recognize that, and they should be encouraged to learn more about this issue, unless, of course, they don’t mind high gas prices.

&045; St. Cloud Times