23% of 2010/2011 U.S. production.
Approximately 38% of corn produced in the US is used for ethanol production.
Geothermal energy is used the least in the US compared to other energy sources like natural gas, coal, and renewables. It contributes a small percentage to the overall energy mix due to limited availability of geothermal resources in certain regions.
In 2010, net imports of energy accounted for about 25% of all energy used in the US. This includes petroleum, natural gas, coal, and other forms of energy. The US continues to rely on imported energy sources to meet its overall energy needs.
Wind power was first used in ancient civilizations such as Persia and China for pumping water and grinding grain. The earliest recorded use of wind power for sailing ships was in ancient Egypt around 5000 BC.
About 68% of all commercial energy consumed in the US is wasted, according to the Department of Energy. This wasted energy comes from various sources, including inefficient appliances, vehicles, and buildings. Implementing energy efficiency measures can help reduce this waste and save money.
The temperature scale used in HVAC in the US is Fahrenheit. This scale is commonly used for setting thermostat temperatures and reading room temperatures in buildings.
As of 2011, approximately 45% of US corn production is being used for ethanol production.
Corn.
Ethanol production
Because sugarcane can only be grown in a very limited area of the US, unlike corn, which can be grown over a much larger percentage of the country. Also, from a political viewpoint, there are many more corn farmers than sugarcane farmers, so they have much more influence on the legislators involved.
Approximately 55 million acres, but this can vary from year to year. Roughly another 35 million acres is used for corn to produce ethanol.
Because we use it for everything including the growing of corn used to make ethanol.
Ethanol can be distilled from any material which contains complex carbohydrate molecules. Corn is used frequently in the US; sugar cane is used mostly in Brazil. Leftover plant materials such as corn cobs and wood chips can be used, but require more processing before they are ready to be fermented. Switchgrass and potatoes are other materials which are used somewhat.
Currently a bushel of corn produces about 2.8 gallons of ethanol. With better varieties that figure will increase to 3 gallons. In the near future, the corn distillate will be processed again, yielding some more ethanol.
Much of it is used for feeding livestock and a large amount is used in the production of ethanol. However, an amazing 44% of Illinois corn is exported (IL Dept of Ag). That is probably the majority single use for the state.
Maize is a kind of grain used mainly to feed livestock. In the US it's called "corn". A lesser amount is used for food products like corn tortillas, corn meal, and corn chips. The sweeter kind, called sweet corn, is also a popular food item in the US.
Your car can safely run on fuel that is up to 10% ethanol. To run E85 which is 85% ethanol your car must be modified. It can be done but it would be very expensive to make all the changes necessary. Ethanol is a solvent and will destroy common rubber seals and gaskets used in cars not designed to run it. It is highly corrosive to aluminum and other parts in an engine. And besides, why would you want to burn ethanol. Ethanol has less energy than gasoline so your fuel mileage will drop around 20 to 30%. If you are getting 30 mpg with gasoline you will get around 24-25 with Ethanol. You will also have less power burning Ethanol. And it takes corn and other food sources to make Ethanol. That causes the price of corn to go up costing us more for food products containing corn.
Because corn is far more popular than sugar cane and is grown literally almost everywhere in the US in comparison to sugar cane.