Environmental Protection Agency nearing approval of grain sorghum-based ethanol

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The government is on the verge of approving a grain mainly used as livestock feed to make a cleaner version of ethanol.

The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded ethanol made from grain sorghum can qualify as an advanced biofuel if it's made at plants with the proper green technology. Advanced biofuels have even less of a carbon footprint than conventional biofuels such as corn ethanol.

Advanced ethanol made from sorghum could help meet the federal goal of producing 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels per year by 2022. Officials say it also could give farmers a new moneymaking opportunity and help the environment.

Sorghum is more resistant to drought than other crops, including corn, and produces about the same amount of ethanol per bushel as corn with one-third less water.