Concerns lower CO2 production from ethanol plants could restrict rural vaccine roll outs

In New York state, Reuters reports there are concerns that a 25% reduction in CO2 production by ethanol plants compared to normal levels could impede distribution of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine in rural areas due to lack of dry ice. Ethanol production was hit severely early in the year by the pandemic and has recovered significantly but not to pre-pandemic levels, and its byproducts such as the CO2 required to dry ice have been impacted. Although dry ice producers and trade associations believe there will be enough dry ice for the vaccines, there are concerns that in rural areas where logistics are challenged and populations are widespread that it is impossible to know if there will be enough to go around.