|
|
 |
“In poor countries, production of ethanol and biodiesel can have an extremely positive impact.”
~ Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil |
|
Economic
Increased ethanol production has tremendous economic benefits including trade deficit reduction, job creation, and strengthening of agricultural markets
Job Creation and Development
-
An expanded ethanol industry can create new markets and employment for farmers and foresters, many of whom currently face economic hardship.
-
According to the RFA, in 2005 the ethanol industry supported the creation of more than 153,725 jobs in all sectors of the U.S. economy, boosting U.S. household income by $5.7 billion.
-
In the U.S., ethanol production is now responsible for creating more employment in rural areas than any other economic activity.
-
In Brazil, for each unit of energy generated, oil creates one job, coal production employs four, and ethanol 152.
-
In terms of investment required for job creation in Brazil, the petrochemical industry spends US$ 220,000 for each job created, while ethanol producers create one job for each US$ 15,000 spent.
-
For some of the poorest and most unstable countries in the hemisphere, such as Nicaragua and Haiti, the expansion of ethanol production could prove to be a significant development tool.
|
|
