US to Fund Lower-Emission Fertilizer With Eye to Greener Ethanol

By Leah Douglas

The U.S. Department of Energy plans to spend $36 million on technologies to lower emissions from applying synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to corn and sorghum used in ethanol production, the agency said Thursday.

The money would support projects that reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for farms while maintaining yields, the agency said.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Agriculture accounts for about 11% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Nitrous oxide emissions, stemming in part from the application of nitrogen fertilizer, make up about half that amount, the agency said.

The ethanol industry, seeking growth opportunities as the rise of electric vehicles shrinks the gasoline market, stands to benefit from lucrative federal and state subsidy programs the more it can reduce the fuel’s emissions.