I received this response from the Can. Gov't regarding ethanol.
Interesting thing is, I can see the over-production of corn in
set fields depleting the soil if asked to be a substitute for oil.

Mr. Richard Anderson

michaelanderson4@sympatico.ca

       

Dear Mr. Anderson:

Thank you for your email regarding the energy balance of producing and
using fuel ethanol.

There is a robust literature and science on this issue. It should be
noted that Pimentel is almost unique in his criticism of biofuels –
virtually all other commentators and scientists who have examined the
issue conclude that there is a positive energy balance relating to the
production and use of biofuels.

The elements contributing to the life cycle of producing and using
fuel ethanol have improved over time, as have the energy efficiency of
many technologies. With respect to the energy balances relating to
fuel ethanol, I refer you to the definitive study that was conducted
by the United States Department of Agriculture in 2002 entitled “The
Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol, An Update.” This document can be found
on the USDA website by typing the name of the report in the search
box.

Although the report notes that there is a range of values for all
elements of a life cycle analysis for any product, it concludes that
the value of 1.34 is reasonable and supportable for corn-based fuel
ethanol given the technologies available in the first half of this
decade. This means that a litre of corn-based fuel ethanol provides
1.34 times as much energy as was required to manufacture it. Other
feedstocks generate different energy balances. For example wheat-based
ethanol has a slightly lower energy balance, while sugar cane-based
fuel ethanol has a significantly higher energy balance.  

I trust this information is of assistance to you. Again, thank you for
writing and bringing this report to my attention.

Sincerely,

Andy Mitchell

Martine Gervais

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ministerial Correspondence and
Records Office

930 Carling Ave. Sir John Carling Building, Agriculture et
Agroalimentaire Canada

Section de la correspondance et des dossiers ministériels

930 avenue Carling, Édiffice Sir John Carling,

Tel: 613-759-1021 Fax/Télécopieur : 613-759-1081

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0C7

gervaisma@agr.gc.ca