Scientists: Ethanol's water demands cause for scrutiny, not alarm

[GLF]

One gallon of alternative fuel takes three gallons to make

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. | The proposal for a 100 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant is just one of many that have popped up in the past several months across Illinois, which already has seven operating plants and is the nation's No. 2 ethanol producer.

High oil prices and support from Washington have inspired such interest in the corn-based gasoline additive that the Illinois Corn Growers Association now says at least 30 plants are in various stages of planning across the state.

All will use a lot of water.

It takes about three gallons of water to produce each gallon of ethanol, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. So a plant that produces 100 million gallons of ethanol each year will go through 300 million gallons of water for processing the product and cooling equipment.

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/06/19/news/top_news/4158d9d4ac5f89b68625719200009ba8.txt