Brazil's ethanol industry -- part two* Brazil has made great
strides in running its economy on renewable energy. Renewable
energy represents 46 percent of Brazil’s total annual energy
supply. By comparison, renewable energy accounts for only seven
percent of the U.S. annual supply. The largest source of
renewable energy in Brazil is ethanol, accounting for over one-
third of Brazil’s renewable energy. In addition, 90 percent of
Brazil’s electricity comes from renewable sources, predominantly
hydroelectricity. By comparison, only nine percent of the U.S.
electricity supply is from renewable sources. About half of our
electricity is generated from coal. Due in part to its ethanol
program, Brazil became net energy independent in 2006 after many
years of energy dependence. Although we need to remember that
the U.S. economy is much larger than that of Brazil (the U.S.
economy is nine times larger), Brazil’s accomplishments in
renewable energy and energy independence are nevertheless
impressive. During the 1970s, Br