Monthly ethanol production data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows American ethanol producers supplied a record 13.948 billion gallons (332.11 million barrels) in calendar year 2011.  That is an increase from 13.231 billion gallons in 2010.

Strong production in the ending months of 2011 helped push domestic ethanol production to these record levels and outpace the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirement for renewable fuel of 13.2 billion gallons for 2011.  December production was a new monthly record of 29.772 million barrels. As the RFA previously reported, the U.S. exported a record 1.19 billion gallons of denatured and undenatured ethanol in 2011.

“Ethanol producers have clearly shown their ability to innovate and evolve to meet the renewable energy demands of the nation, and increasingly, the world,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen.  “With increasing volumes of ethanol expected to come from additional sources like grasses, ag wastes, and garbage, we must commit to opening American fuel markets to higher level ethanol blends and giving consumers a truer choice at the pump.  Blends like E15, as well as E20, E30, and E85 offer safe, cost-effective, and domestic opportunities to further reduce our reliance on imported oil.”

For a complete archive of 2011 ethanol industry statistics, download the RFA’s Annual Ethanol Industry Outlook 2012.