Greening the Corn Belt: Low-carbon-intensity ammonia's role in the future of sustainable corn production.

The article focuses on the role of low-carbon-intensity ammonia (LCIA) in reducing the environmental impact of corn production for biofuels in the US Corn Belt. It presents a life cycle assessment comparing conventional ammonia production, blue ammonia with carbon capture and storage (CCS), and green ammonia produced via renewable hydrogen, showing potential CO2 emission reductions of 26–33% per bushel of corn when replacing conventional ammonia with LCIA. Despite these environmental benefits, economic analysis reveals that LCIA remains more costly than conventional ammonia, even with existing production tax credits (45Q and 45V), and only becomes cost-competitive under a tiered carbon tax of $85 per ton CO2. The study emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive policy measures—including carbon pricing, tax credits, and farmer subsidies—to overcome economic barriers and facilitate the adoption of LCIA in agriculture without requiring major changes to existing farming infrastructure.