Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biofuels Produced from Camelina Oil and Other Feedstocks

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biofuels Produced from Camelina Oil and Other Feedstocks"

Transcription

1 February 6, 2012 Air and Radiation Docket Docket No. EPA HQ OAR Environmental Protection Agency Mailcode: 6406J 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Washington, DC Docket No. EPA HQ OAR (RIN 2060-AR07) Re: Comments on Proposed and Direct Final Rules for Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program To Whom It May Concern: Clean Air Task Force, Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council appreciate the opportunity to submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency s proposed and direct final rules entitled Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. We disagree with EPA s view that these rules are noncontroversial actions and therefore request that the agency carries out a full rulemaking. Our comments address three main issues: (1) an assumption that production of camelina and other biofuels feedstocks would not result in any land use change; (2) the potential for some of the proposed feedstocks to become invasive; and (3) impacts of corn stover removal. Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biofuels Produced from Camelina Oil and Other Feedstocks With the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, EPA is required to include greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from direct and indirect land use change in its analysis of new biofuels pathways. While some biofuel feedstocks like camelina, napier grass, giant reed and others are not predicted to result in large land use changes, even small changes, once summed up, can have a detrimental impact on our climate, water, air, soil and wildlife resources. We understand the difficulty in calculating GHG emissions from biomass production but as history has shown, scaling up biofuels production may result in numerous unintended consequences that either may or may not have been predicted years ago. As EPA noted in the direct final rule, research on biomass production from sources like camelina and giant reed is still in its early stages. As the University of Florida s Cooperative Extension Service noted, research related to [camelina] production is limited and will develop as its value increases as a renewable energy crop. 1 Despite limited information, EPA made an assumption 1 Wright, D. and Jim Marois. Camelina Production in Florida. Feb Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Accessed online 6 Feb at

2 that all camelina used for biofuels production will be grown on fallow land and will thus result in no land use change from additional acres being brought into production. 2 Unfortunately, the agency failed to cite adequate evidence to validate this assumption. By relying on one study that was co-authored by an industry official, EPA failed to explain how no land use change would occur if camelina production was significantly scaled up. 3 Shonnard et al. (2010) state that, Altogether more than 5 million U.S. acres have the potential to grow camelina in a sustainable manner with no impact on food supply. 4 But, EPA assumes that almost twice that amount 8 million acres would be planted to camelina. With a near-record number of acres being planted to corn, primarily to produce ethanol to meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate, increased pressure has been placed on the environment as more marginal and fallow land has been brought into production. EPA should analyze how many acres of marginal and fallow land are currently available for biofuels production and what impacts may occur at the margin after biofuels production from camelina or other feedstocks is scaled up. Additionally, EPA must provide a more robust and better-substantiated analysis of likely production practices. When analyzing the environmental consequences of increased production of camelina, giant reed, napier grass, and energy cane, it is not enough for the agency to describe the least damaging ways in which these crops might be grown. 5 The fact that it may be physically possible to grow crops using a certain approach says nothing about whether that approach is the most economically efficient option available to farmers particularly when production is scaled up to commercially relevant volumes. Growing practices will be determined largely according to a variety of economic factors, such as input costs and commodity prices. In its proposal, EPA failed to provide factual data that show how those economic factors will shape production practices, nor has it described the methodology it would use to analyze such data. 6,7 Consequently, EPA has not provided an adequate basis for its assessment that an increase in biofuels-related production of camelina, giant reed, napiergrass and energy cane will not result in a significant increase in land use change-related GHG emissions. 2 Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Federal Register Vol. 77, No. 3 (5 Jan. 2012): Accessed online 6 Feb at 3 Shonnard, D., L. Williams and T. Kalnes. Camelina-Derived Jet Fuel and Diesel: Sustainable Advanced Biofuels. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 29.3 (2010): Accessed online 6 Feb at 4 Shonnard, D., L. Williams and T. Kalnes. Camelina-Derived Jet Fuel and Diesel: Sustainable Advanced Biofuels. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 29.3 (2010): Accessed online 6 Feb at 5 See, e.g., 77 Fed. Reg. at 702, where EPA asserts that camelina can be grown during different growing seasons, can also be used to break planting cycles, and has certain attributes that allow it to be grown on marginal land without indicating the economic likelihood that these options will be pursued. 6 Cf. CAA 307(d)(3), 42 U.S.C.A. 7607(d)(3). 7 In fact, EPA acknowledged that it lacked key data concerning the impact that increased production of camelina would have on markets and market-mediated environmental effects. 77 Fed. Reg. at 702.

3 The agency also states that, The renewable biomass provisions under the Energy Independence and Security Act would prohibit direct land conversion into new agricultural land for camelina production for biofuel internationally. But without proper monitoring and enforcement, this provision will not prevent farmers from converting new land to biomass production. By assuming no land use change, EPA may underestimate the increase in GHG emissions that could result from breaking new land. This assumption is not only an issue with camelina production but could also underestimate land use change emissions associated with biomass production from giant reed, napiergrass, energy cane and other feedstocks. EPA again assumes that these feedstocks will be grown on the least productive land without citing any specific models or studies that may have informed this decision. EPA also overestimated long-term camelina yields in the direct final rule. Its estimates are on the high end of the current yield range in states like Pennsylvania, Oregon and Montana. 8 EPA assumes that U.S. yields will average 1650 pounds per acre and that investment in new seed technology could increase yields to 3000 pounds per acre. 9 However, other researchers estimate that camelina s yield potential ranges from 330 to 2400 pounds per acre without irrigation. 10,11 Reaching yields of 3000 pounds per acre may be attainable in certain areas, but previous trials do not suggest that average yields could reach this level in just ten years. Even with nitrogen application rates at two to four times the EPA estimated rate of 40 pounds per acre in 2022, yields barely exceeded 2000 to 2200 pounds per acre in trials in Colorado. 12 With the huge increase in corn ethanol production and corn acreage, new land has been brought into production with detrimental environmental consequences. 13 As an example, in 2011, the 8 McKay, K.A. and P.F. Lamb. Camelina Production in Montana. March Montana State University Extension. Accessed online 6 Feb at 9 Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Federal Register Vol. 77 No. 3 (5 Jan. 2012): Accessed online 6 Feb at 10 Ehrensing, D.T. and S.O. Guy. Camelina. Jan Oregon State University Extension Service. Accessed online 6 Feb at 11 McKay, K.A. and P.F. Lamb. Camelina Production in Montana. March Montana State University Extension. Accessed online 6 Feb at 12 Lafferty, R.M., C. Rife and G. Foster. Spring Camelina Production Guide for the Central High Plains. Dec Blue Sun Agriculture Research and Development. Accessed online 6 Feb at =id&blobtable=mungoblobs&blobwhere= &ssbinary=true. 13 Wallander, S., R. Claassen and C. Nickerson. The Ethanol Decade: An Expansion of U.S. Corn Production, Aug United States Department of Agriculture s Economic Research Service. Accessed online 6 Feb at

4 U.S. produced about 13 billion gallons of ethanol by utilizing 40 percent of domestic corn production; U.S. farmers responded to near-record corn prices by planting 92 million acres of corn, the second-highest level since The RFS2 final rulemaking predicted that the U.S. would not plant this many acres until 2022 when corn yields reached 185 bushels per acre and corn ethanol production met its 15-billion-gallon mandate. However, with erratic weather last year, including record drought and flooding in some areas, average corn yields fell to 147 bushels per acre, the lowest level since Increased corn plantings and corn ethanol production has resulted in more water pollution, higher greenhouse gas emissions, less wildlife habitat and higher rates of soil erosion. On an international scale, cropland expansion has been even more pronounced. Abbott et al (2011) found that, Land area for thirteen major world crops increased by 27 million hectares in the five years since a 3 percent expansion of harvested area, with most of the land expansion occurring outside the United States. 15 The entirety of the increase cannot be directly tied to the biofuels boom, but since biofuels mandates introduce a fixed, inelastic demand into the market, commodity prices have become more volatile as some stocks have fallen to all-time lows. Other impacts of cropland expansion on GHG emissions, water and air quality, soil erosion and wildlife habitat should be factored into future EPA analyses of biofuels pathways to ensure that the same mistakes made with corn ethanol are not repeated with other biofuels. Failure to Evaluate the Potential for Feedstocks to Become Invasive The proposed and direct final rules include approval of giant reed (Arundo donax) and napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) both of which are non-native to the U.S. and have been identified as invasive species in certain parts of the country along with camelina (Camelina sativa) and energy cane (scientific name not provided in rule), two non-native species. In publishing this rule, EPA ignored Executive Order Under this executive order, federal agencies are required to not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species in the United States or elsewhere unless, pursuant to guidelines that it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determination that the benefits of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with the actions. 16 Despite this clear order, EPA has issued a rule that is likely to lead to the spread of invasive species without any kind of analysis on the potential harm caused by the promotion of the invasive species or determination of the benefits. 14 United States Department of Agriculture. World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. 12 Jan Accessed online 6 Feb at 15 Abbott, P.C., C. Hurt and W.E. Tyner. What s Driving Food Prices in 2011? July Farm Foundation. Accessed online 6 Feb at 16 Clinton, William. Invasive Species. Executive Order of February 3, Federal Register Vol. 64, No. 25 (8 Feb. 1999): Accessed online 6 Feb at

5 Giant reed (Arundo donax), also known as giant cane, was originally introduced into the United States in the 1800s for erosion control and windbreaks, but has since become an invasive plant in much of its introduced range around the world. In the United States, giant reed is listed as a noxious weed in Texas, an exotic plant pest in California, an invasive weed in Hawaii, and as an invasive, exotic pest in Tennessee. 17 Furthermore, it has been noted as either invasive or a serious risk in New Mexico, Alabama, and South Carolina. 18 Researchers applying a Weed Risk Assessment to giant reed in Florida concluded that the plant should be rejected for use as a biofuel crop, saying that, The combination of widespread distribution of giant reed propagules and inherent weedy characters greatly increases the likelihood of escape and subsequent environmental damage. 19 Close to 30,000 hectares of riparian land in Texas are now estimated to be dominated by giant reed, 20 and the Texas Department of Agriculture has determined that giant reed has the potential to cause serious economic or ecological harm to the state. Costs to control the species are extremely high; in California, costs range between $5,000 and $17,000 per acre to eradicate the weed. 21 Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum), also known as elephant grass, was introduced in the early 1900s to areas of Texas and Florida, but since then it has become a highly troublesome weed. Napiergrass has been identified as one of Florida s most problematic weeds and is listed as an invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 22 The species has been documented in nearly 30 counties throughout the state, where it has taken over areas of canal and ditch banks, blocking access and impeding water flow. 23 Napiergrass can reproduce both vegetatively and through seed dispersal, and it can grow very quickly. By issuing this rule, EPA is carrying out an action that directly incentivizes planting two known invasive species, an action that is fundamentally at odds with Executive Order Given the clear risk of invasion by both Arundo donax and Pennisetum purpereum, and the potential risk 17 McWilliams, J. Arundo Donax. USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information System Accessed online 6 Feb at 18 Florida Native Plant Society Policy Statement on Arundo Donax. Florida Native Plant Society Accessed online 6 Feb at 19 Barney, J.N. and J.M. DiTomaso. Nonnative Species and Bioenergy: Are We Cultivating the Next Invader? BioScience 58 (2008): Mack, R.N. Evaluating the Credits and Debits of Proposed Biofuel Species: Giant Reed (Arundo donax). Weed Science 56 (2008): California Invasive Plant Council. Arundo Donax Distribution and Impact Report. March Accessed online 6 Feb at 22 Odero, D.C. and C. Rainbolt. Napiergrass: Biology and Control in Sugarcane. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services Extension Accessed online 6 Feb at 23 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Plant Management in Florida Waters: An Integrated Approach. Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report Fiscal Year Accessed online 9 Dec at

6 posed by the non-native species camelina and energy cane, we strongly urge the EPA to do a full rulemaking process in which Executive Order is fully considered for all feedstocks. At the very least, pursuant to EO 13112, EPA must: 1. Explain how its proposed action will not promote the introduction or spread of the proposed feedstocks in the United States, and 2. Demonstrate that the benefits of qualifying the feedstock-derived fuels for use within the RFS2 clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by further expansion of the proposed feedstocks, and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with this action. Furthermore, we urge EPA to ensure compliance with EO in future rulemaking processes by incorporating an assessment of invasiveness in future pathway determinations under the RFS program. Impacts of Corn Stover Removal When calculating GHG emissions from the removal of corn stover, EPA rightfully included emissions from a shift in cropland due to increased profitability of corn production and the need for additional fertilizer to replace nutrients lost from stover removal. However, the agency then mistakenly assumed that using corn stover for biofuels production would result in additional notill farming without any evidence that the stover would actually be removed from no-tilled acres. With recent increased profitability from corn production, farmers may actually increase tillage to reap high corn prices. As the RFS s Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) notes, a farmer will be concerned with using those tillage operations that will provide him with the highest possible yield at the next harvest, and not necessarily those that tend to maximize erosion control on his lands. 24 Without assurance that farmers will actually adopt more no-till practices, EPA may underestimate the amount of soil carbon that could be lost to the atmosphere if farmers either continue or adopt more intensive tillage operations. As the RFS2 RIA also notes, Residue removal leading to higher erosion and runoff rates would greatly decrease SOM and nutrients It s been reported that crop yield and the value of environmental services (C and N sequestration) were greater for soils with greater SOC. Limited research has shown that removing stover reduces grain and stover yield of subsequent crops and further lowers soil organic matter levels Environmental Protection Agency. Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Regulatory Impact Analysis. EPA-420-R Feb Accessed online 6 Feb at 25 Environmental Protection Agency. Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Regulatory Impact Analysis. EPA-420-R Feb Accessed online 6 Feb at

7 Schlesinger (1985) reported that soil organic carbon levels have already dropped by as much as 50 percent from levels prior to cultivation in this country. 26,27,28 Several researchers have found that as more corn stover is extracted, particularly stalks very close to the soil surface, soil organic carbon levels will decline. 29 Clapp et al (2000) found that soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in notill field plots with stover removal remained virtually unchanged over time while fields with corn stover returned increased SOC levels by about 14 percent; after 13 years, the portion of SOC levels derived from corn stover on land where no stover was harvested was three times as high as on fields where stover was extracted. 30 In 2011, EPA s draft triennial report to Congress indicated that without good conservation and best management practices, corn stover ethanol would be detrimental to nearly all environmental factors that were analyzed, including water quality, water quantity, soil quality, air quality and biodiversity. 31 The figure below shows that when corn stover is removed without offsetting practices, soil carbon levels could decline. These findings are similar to other studies, especially Johnson et al (2006). 32,33 26 Cruse, R.M. and C.G. Herndl. Balancing Corn Stover Harvest for Biofuels with Soil and Water Conservation. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 64.4 (July/Aug. 2009): Schlesinger, W.H. Changes in Soil Carbon Storage and Associated Properties with Disturbance an Recovery. In the Changing Carbon Cycle: A Global Analysis. Ed. J.R. Trabalha and D.E. Reichle. New York: Springer-Verlag, p Davidson, E.A., and I.L. Ackerman. Changes in Soil Carbon Inventories Following Cultivation of Previously Untilled Soils. Biogeochemistry 20 (1993): Hoskinson, R.L., D.L. Karlen, S.J. Birrell, C.W. Radtke and W.W. Wilhelm. Engineering, Nutrient Removal, and Feedstock Conversion Evaluations of Four Corn Stover Harvest Scenarios. Biomass and Bioenergy 31 (2007): Accessed online 21 July 2011 at Biomass%20Bioenergy.pdf. 30 Clapp, C.E., R.R. Allmaras, M.F. Layese, D.R. Linden and R.H. Dowdy. Soil Organic Carbon and C Abundance as Related to Tillage, Crop Residue, and Nitrogen Fertilization Under Continuous Corn Management in Minnesota. Soil and Tillage Research 55 (2000): Environmental Protection Agency. Biofuels and the Environment: the First Triennial Report to Congress (External Review Draft). EPA/600/R-10/183A Accessed online 6 Feb at 32 Johnson, J.M.F., R.R. Allmaras and D.C. Reicosky. Estimating Source Carbon from Crop Residues, Roots, and Rhizodeposits Using the National Grain-yield Database. Agronomy Journal 98 (2006): National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Research Council. Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass: Technological Status, Costs, and Environmental Impacts. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, Accessed online 21 July 2011 at

8 In the RFS2 final rulemaking, EPA projected that differing levels of corn stover could be removed from land based on whether it was conventionally tilled, conservation tilled or no-tilled. However, some researchers have recommended that other factors be taken into account beyond the type of tillage. For instance, Wilhelm et al (2007) write that stover should not be extracted from highly-erodible land (HEL) since water and soil quality can deteriorate if too much soil cover is removed. 34 Finally, this figure shows that more residue may be necessary to retain soil organic carbon than to minimize soil and wind erosion. 35,36 The figure also demonstrates that more stover must be retained on land that is in rotation with another crop like soybeans as compared to continuous corn production. 34 Johnson, J.M., D. Reicosky, R. Allmaras, D. Archer and W. Wilhelm. A Matter of Balance: Conservation and Renewable Energy. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 61.4 (2006): Accessed online 22 July 2011 at pdf. 35 Wilhelm, W.W., J.M.F. Johnson, D.L. Karlen, and D.T. Lightle. Corn Stover to Sustain Soil Organic Carbon Further Constrains Biomass Supply. Agronomy Journal 99 (2007): National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Research Council. Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass: Technological Status, Costs, and Environmental Impacts. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, Accessed online 21 July 2011 at

9 In conclusion, we urge EPA to consider changes to soil carbon from the removal of corn stover as they may have an impact on the GHG score of this new biofuel pathway. We also urge the agency to not simply assume that additional no-till practices will be adopted with residue extraction. As explained in a recent report that examines the use of Midwestern corn stover for cellulosic biofuels, important questions about production i.e., issues that bear heavily on the fuel s projected environmental performance need to be answered. According to the report, Harnessing the Power of Biomass Residuals (2011), these unresolved issues include the size of the potential stover resource given the competing needs of protecting soil and water resources and sustaining grain harvest, and the logistical challenges of harvesting, transporting, and storing large quantities of cellulosic biomass. 37 The report continues: Given that cellulosic fermentation technologies are not ready for widespread application, stover production and harvest field trials should continue to study and clarify production and logistical issues. Work under way at Iowa State University s New Century Farm is a good example of the type of research that is 37 Brick, Steve. Harnessing the Power of Biomass Residuals: Opportunities and Challenges for Midwestern Renewable Energy ( Harnessing ). Chicago: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, pp. 50. Accessed online 6 Feb at mass_residuals.pdf.

10 needed to better address these questions. 38 Similar research should be replicated in the six-state Midwest region, perhaps focusing on the stover concentration areas described earlier. Research should focus on testing the economic and ecological feasibility of different tillage practices, and a close look at behavioral factors involved is also needed. The same soil management practices that would allow higher stover harvests would also reduce erosion and water pollution and potentially increase soil carbon levels. These benefits should be studied, tallied, and included in the case for change. 39 Consequently, until these important issues are examined in sufficient detail, and until their impact on lifecycle emissions have been analyzed, EPA cannot adequately assess the net climate impact associated with stover-derived biofuels. Conclusion Again, we thank EPA for the opportunity to comment on these proposed and direct final rules on new biofuels pathways. We urge the agency to consider the three issues that were addressed above and undergo the full rule-making process. We also support the agency as it plans to periodically review and revise the methodology and assumptions associated with calculating the GHG emissions from all renewable fuel feedstocks. 40 Thanks again and please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Jonathan Lewis Senior Counsel Climate Policy Clean Air Task Force Sheila Karpf Legislative and Policy Analyst Environmental Working Group Michal Rosenoer Biofuels Policy Campaigner Friends of the Earth Aviva Glaser Legislative Representative, Agriculture Policy 38 Citation in original: United States Department of Agriculture. New Century Farm Accessed online 6 Feb at 39 Harnessing at Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Federal Register Vol. 77, No. 3 (5 Jan. 2012): Accessed online 6 Feb at

11 National Wildlife Federation Nathanael Greene Director of Renewable Energy Policy Natural Resources Defense Council

Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects

Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects Growing Crops for Biofuels Has Spillover Effects VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1 Scott Malcolm smalcolm@ers.usda.gov 10 Marcel Aillery maillery@ers.usda.gov Federal mandates for biofuel production promote expanded crop

More information

February 23, A. The Energy Independence and Security Act s Renewable Fuels Program Requirements

February 23, A. The Energy Independence and Security Act s Renewable Fuels Program Requirements Via Certified U.S. Mail Return Receipt Requested February 23, 2017 Administrator Scott Pruitt U.S. Environmental Protection Agency William Jefferson Clinton Building Mail Code 1101A 1200 Pennsylvania Ave.,

More information

Chapter 2: Best Management Practices: Managing Cropping Systems for Soil Protection and Bioenergy Production

Chapter 2: Best Management Practices: Managing Cropping Systems for Soil Protection and Bioenergy Production Biomass Gasification: A Comprehensive Demonstration of a Community-Scale Biomass Energy System Final Report to the USDA Rural Development Grant 68-3A75-5-232 Chapter 2: Best Management Practices: Managing

More information

Balancing biomass for bioenergy and conserving the soil resource or Having your biomass and your soil too. Jane Johnson USDA-ARS, ARS, Morris, MN

Balancing biomass for bioenergy and conserving the soil resource or Having your biomass and your soil too. Jane Johnson USDA-ARS, ARS, Morris, MN Balancing biomass for bioenergy and conserving the soil resource or Having your biomass and your soil too Jane Johnson USDA-,, Morris, MN Grain Grain to ethanol Converts starch to glucose to ethanol In

More information

New Studies Portray Unbalanced Perspective on Biofuels. DOE Committed to Environmentally Sound Biofuels Development

New Studies Portray Unbalanced Perspective on Biofuels. DOE Committed to Environmentally Sound Biofuels Development New Studies Portray Unbalanced Perspective on Biofuels DOE Committed to Environmentally Sound Biofuels Development DOE Response based on contributions from Office of Biomass Program; Argonne National Lab,

More information

Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress

Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress DRAFT EPA/600/R-10/183A DO NOT CITE OR QUOTE January 2011 External Review Draft Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress NOTICE THIS DOCUMENT IS A PRELIMINARY DRAFT. It has not

More information

25x 25 Sustainability Presentation: 5 th California Biomass Collaborative Forum Joint Forum on Biomass Sustainability and Lifecycle Analysis

25x 25 Sustainability Presentation: 5 th California Biomass Collaborative Forum Joint Forum on Biomass Sustainability and Lifecycle Analysis 25x 25 Sustainability Presentation: 5 th California Biomass Collaborative Forum Joint Forum on Biomass Sustainability and Lifecycle Analysis May 28, 2008 25x 25: a National Alliance Formed in Spring 2004

More information

Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges for Sustainable Production

Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges for Sustainable Production Energy Issues Affecting Corn/Soybean Systems: Challenges for Sustainable Production Issue Paper 48 January 2012 Dr. Doug Karlen www.cast-science.org 1 Authors Douglas Karlen (Chair) Task Force Members

More information

The economics of Harvesting Corn Cobs for energy

The economics of Harvesting Corn Cobs for energy Purdue extension BioEnergy ID-417-W Fueling America Through Renewable Resources The economics of Harvesting Corn Cobs for energy Matthew J. Erickson and Wallace E. Tyner Department of Agricultural Economics

More information

Biofuels: Costs and Potential for Mitigating Greenhouse Gases

Biofuels: Costs and Potential for Mitigating Greenhouse Gases Biofuels: Costs and Potential for Mitigating Greenhouse Gases Madhu Khanna Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics Energy Biosciences Institute University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign GHG Emissions

More information

Biofuels vs Bioinvasions: Seeding Policy Priorities. Joe DiTomaso, Jacob Barney, Jamie Reaser, Chris Dionigi, and Otto Doering

Biofuels vs Bioinvasions: Seeding Policy Priorities. Joe DiTomaso, Jacob Barney, Jamie Reaser, Chris Dionigi, and Otto Doering Agricultural Outlook Forum Presented: February 18-19, 2010 U.S. Department of Agriculture Biofuels vs Bioinvasions: Seeding Policy Priorities Joe DiTomaso, Jacob Barney, Jamie Reaser, Chris Dionigi, and

More information

Office of the Chief Economist Office of Energy Policy and New Uses

Office of the Chief Economist Office of Energy Policy and New Uses Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 6, 2007 OVERVIEW OF AGRICULTURE FOR BIOFUELS IN THE U. S. By Hosein Shapouri, Ph. D. CRC WORKSHOP ON LIFE CYCLE ANAYSIS OF BIOFUELS Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, IL,

More information

EPA Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR September 13, 2010

EPA Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR September 13, 2010 Comments of Biotechnology Industry Organization on EPA s Call for Information on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources EPA Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0560 September

More information

Invasives and Biofuels. Roger C. Anderson School of Biological Sciences Illinois State University

Invasives and Biofuels. Roger C. Anderson School of Biological Sciences Illinois State University Invasives and Biofuels Roger C. Anderson School of Biological Sciences Illinois State University Biofuel derived substitutes for petroleum Two categories of liquid biofuels First generation Ethanol (from

More information

Subject: The Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Renewable Fuels Produced from Biomass Sorghum Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR

Subject: The Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Renewable Fuels Produced from Biomass Sorghum Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR January 30, 2015 Sent electronically Mr. Jon Monger Office of Transportation and Air Quality MC 6406J U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Subject:

More information

A Model Integration Framework for Assessing Integrated Landscape Management Strategies

A Model Integration Framework for Assessing Integrated Landscape Management Strategies A Model Integration Framework for Assessing Integrated Landscape Management Strategies Jared M. Abodeely 1, David J. Muth 1, Joshua B. Koch 1, and Kenneth M. Bryden 2 1 Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

More information

Biofuels Toward the Next Generation. BCSEA Energy Solutions, June 10, 2008 Patrick Mazza, Research Director, Climate Solutions

Biofuels Toward the Next Generation. BCSEA Energy Solutions, June 10, 2008 Patrick Mazza, Research Director, Climate Solutions Biofuels Toward the Next Generation BCSEA Energy Solutions, June 10, 2008 Patrick Mazza, Research Director, Climate Solutions Climate Solutions Climate Solutions mission is to accelerate practical and

More information

Production of Biofuels Feedstock on Agriculture Land and Grasslands

Production of Biofuels Feedstock on Agriculture Land and Grasslands Production of Biofuels Feedstock on Agriculture Land and Grasslands W. W. Wilhelm 1, Gary Varvel 1, Rob Mitchell 2, and Brian Wienhold 1 1 Agroecosystem Management Research Unit 2 Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy

More information

know and what we don t

know and what we don t Biofuels in Wisconsin: What we know and what we don t M A T T R U A R K, D E P A R T M E N T O F S O I L S C I E N C E U N I V E R S I T Y O F W I S C O N S I N - M A D I S O N ; U N I V E R S I T Y O

More information

Re: Docket ID No. EPA HQ OAR Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018

Re: Docket ID No. EPA HQ OAR Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018 July 11, 2016 Administrator Gina McCarthy Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mailcode: 2822T 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Submitted

More information

REAP: Renewable Energy Assessment Project

REAP: Renewable Energy Assessment Project United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service REAP: Renewable Energy Ghassem R. Asrar Deputy Administrator USDA-ARS ARS National Academies of Science First Federal Sustainability

More information

Evaluation of Breakeven Farm-gate Switchgrass Prices in South Central North Dakota

Evaluation of Breakeven Farm-gate Switchgrass Prices in South Central North Dakota Agribusiness and Applied Economics Report No. 632-S August 2008 Evaluation of Breakeven Farm-gate Prices in South Central North Dakota Dean A. Bangsund, Eric A. DeVuyst, and F. Larry Leistritz A key provision

More information

March 22, Pollution Probe Pathways Initiative Workshop. Renewably Sourced Fuels. Carolyn Tester

March 22, Pollution Probe Pathways Initiative Workshop. Renewably Sourced Fuels. Carolyn Tester March 22, 2015 Pollution Probe Pathways Initiative Workshop Renewably Sourced Fuels Carolyn Tester Principle-based Advocacy Free market, level playing field, market solutions No mandates or subsidies Consumer

More information

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program Presentation for The Nexus of Biofuels Energy, Climate Change, and Health Workshop (Institute of Medicine) January 25, 2013 Karl Simon, Director Transportation

More information

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Comments on Scope of a BCAP Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Comments on Scope of a BCAP Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement June 11. 2009 BCAP EIS c/o Geo-Marine, Inc. 2713 Magruder Blvd., Suite D Hampton, VA 23666 (delivered via e-mail: bcapeis@geo-marine.com Re: Amended Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact

More information

ENFORCEMENT OF CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE FOR HIGHLY ERODIBLE LANDS

ENFORCEMENT OF CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE FOR HIGHLY ERODIBLE LANDS ENFORCEMENT OF CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE FOR HIGHLY ERODIBLE LANDS NSAC SPECIAL REPORTS JUNE 5, 2018 KEYWORDS AND PROGRAMS: CONSERVATION, COMPLIANCE, HIGHLY ERODIBLE, CROP INSURANCE, COMMODITY PROGRAMS,

More information

Long-term Outlook for Biofuel Production and Technologies [What has to be done in practice] Richard Flavell Ceres, California, USA

Long-term Outlook for Biofuel Production and Technologies [What has to be done in practice] Richard Flavell Ceres, California, USA Long-term Outlook for Biofuel Production and Technologies [What has to be done in practice] Richard Flavell Ceres, California, USA Long Term Outlook Promising: World wide concerns Government initiatives

More information

SOYBEANS: SMALLER STOCKS, MORE ACRES, AND EARLY WEATHER WORRIES

SOYBEANS: SMALLER STOCKS, MORE ACRES, AND EARLY WEATHER WORRIES SOYBEANS: SMALLER STOCKS, MORE ACRES, AND EARLY WEATHER WORRIES APRIL 2000 Darrel Good Summary March 1, 2000 stocks of soybeans were estimated at 1.397 billion bushels, 60 million less than on the same

More information

Switchgrass for Forage and Bioenergy

Switchgrass for Forage and Bioenergy Switchgrass for Forage and Bioenergy Rob Mitchell, Research Agronomist, USDA Agricultural Research Service Bruce Anderson, Extension Forage Specialist, UNL Daren Redfearn, Forage and Crop Residue Systems

More information

Manag Mana in g g Soil Carbon to Imp to Im rove Water Qualit Douglas L. Douglas L Karlen USDA USDA--ARS National ARS National Soil Tilth Lab REAP

Manag Mana in g g Soil Carbon to Imp to Im rove Water Qualit Douglas L. Douglas L Karlen USDA USDA--ARS National ARS National Soil Tilth Lab REAP Managing g Soil Carbon to Improve Water Quality Douglas L. Karlen USDA-ARS ARS National Soil Tilth Lab Presentation Outline Climate & agricultural effects on soil carbon How soil carbon affects soil quality

More information

Sponsored by Farm Foundation USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses USDA Economic Research Service

Sponsored by Farm Foundation USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses USDA Economic Research Service Proceedings of a conference February 12-13, 2008 Atlanta, Georgia Sponsored by Farm Foundation USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses USDA Economic Research Service Economic Analysis of Farm-Level Supply

More information

October 19, VIA ELECTRONIC FILING (

October 19, VIA ELECTRONIC FILING ( October 19, 2017 VIA ELECTRONIC FILING (www.regulations.gov) Scott Pruitt Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Mail Code:

More information

AGRICULTURAL & APPLIED ECONOMICS

AGRICULTURAL & APPLIED ECONOMICS University of Wisconsin-Madison February 2001 Staff Paper No. 439 A Study of Costs of Compliance Related to Non-Point Pollution: Rules for Wisconsin Crop Producers By T. Randall Fortenbery AGRICULTURAL

More information

US Crops and Where They re Grown. Introduction. Corn, Soybeans, Barley, and Oats

US Crops and Where They re Grown. Introduction. Corn, Soybeans, Barley, and Oats US Crops and Where They re Grown Introduction The United States is a market leader in many of the world's major crops. Understanding where and when major US crops are grown can help Canadian farmers market

More information

Office of the Chief Economist Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. November 19, 2008

Office of the Chief Economist Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. November 19, 2008 THE CURRENT STATUS AND POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR INDUSTRIAL BIOMASS IN THE UNITED STATES BY Dr. Marvin Duncan USDA/OCE/OEPNU November 19, 2008 This presentation has five sections Background Current biofuels

More information

Corn Stover Cost, Availability, and Sustainability

Corn Stover Cost, Availability, and Sustainability Corn Stover Cost, Availability, and Sustainability David Archer, Scientist USDA Northern Great Plains Laboratory Mandan, ND Points Favoring Harvest of Crop Residues Renewable Doesn t require use of additional

More information

Considerations for Corn Residue Harvest in Minnesota

Considerations for Corn Residue Harvest in Minnesota Considerations for Corn Residue Harvest in Minnesota Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Regional Extension Educator; and Jeff Coulter, Assistant Professor Introduction In most fields, corn residue is incorporated into

More information

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Orchestrating the U.S. Government s First Significant Step to Incentivize Biomass Production

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Orchestrating the U.S. Government s First Significant Step to Incentivize Biomass Production The Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Orchestrating the U.S. Government s First Significant Step to Incentivize Biomass Production Jody M. Endres, J.D., M.A. Senior Regulatory Associate The Energy Biosciences

More information

Water Implications of Biofuel Policy in the U.S.

Water Implications of Biofuel Policy in the U.S. Water Implications of Biofuel Policy in the U.S. Jerry Schnoor Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering Center Global & Regional Environ Research Institute of Medicine (IOM)Roundtable Biofuels and Health

More information

Energy and Cropping Systems. Thomas G Chastain CROP 200 Crop Ecology and Morphology

Energy and Cropping Systems. Thomas G Chastain CROP 200 Crop Ecology and Morphology Thomas G Chastain CROP 200 Crop Ecology and Morphology The energy supply and economic security of a nation are inextricably linked. Our nation s energy supply was threatened in the 1970s by world events,

More information

THE INTRODUCTION THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

THE INTRODUCTION THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT THE INTRODUCTION The earth is surrounded by atmosphere composed of many gases. The sun s rays penetrate through the atmosphere to the earth s surface. Gases in the atmosphere trap heat that would otherwise

More information

Sustainable Agriculture: What s Energy Got to Do With It? Bioenergy at a Crossroad Down on the Farm

Sustainable Agriculture: What s Energy Got to Do With It? Bioenergy at a Crossroad Down on the Farm Sustainable Agriculture: What s Energy Got to Do With It? Bioenergy at a Crossroad Down on the Farm American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Des Moines, IA February 21, 2008 IATP works at the intersection

More information

Near-term opportunities to develop carbon dioxide removal in the United States

Near-term opportunities to develop carbon dioxide removal in the United States Near-term opportunities to develop carbon dioxide removal in the United States Daniel L. Sanchez AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow Princeton University STEP Seminar April 30, 2018 Bioenergy

More information

2002 Farm Bill v Farm Bill Energy Provisions

2002 Farm Bill v Farm Bill Energy Provisions 2002 Farm Bill v- Energy Provisions Biobased Markets Program Established new program for preferred purchase of biobased products by Federal agencies, modeled on existing program for purchase of recycled

More information

2014 Farm Bill Conference Report Analysis

2014 Farm Bill Conference Report Analysis 2014 Farm Bill Conference Report Analysis The final 2014 farm bill isn t perfect, but overall, it is a very strong bill that supports conservation, wildlife, and renewable energy and includes critical

More information

The Renewable Fuel Standard

The Renewable Fuel Standard The Renewable Fuel Standard Timeline of a Successful Policy Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2005 Energy Policy Act of 2005 becomes law, enacting RFS1. Ethanol production is 3.9 billion gallons,

More information

Biofuels: Trends, Specifications, Biomass Conversion, and GHG Assessments

Biofuels: Trends, Specifications, Biomass Conversion, and GHG Assessments Biofuels: Trends, Specifications, Biomass Conversion, and GHG Assessments 6 th International Symposium on Fuels and Lubricants New Delhi, India March 9-12, 2008 S. Kent Hoekman, Ph.D. Desert Research Institute

More information

Biofuels and Food Security A consultation by the HLPE to set the track of its study.

Biofuels and Food Security A consultation by the HLPE to set the track of its study. Biofuels and Food Security A consultation by the HLPE to set the track of its study. Discussion No. 80 from 8 to 28 May 2012 In October 2011, the CFS has recommended that appropriate parties and stakeholders

More information

Biofuels Potential and Sustainability

Biofuels Potential and Sustainability Biofuels Potential and Sustainability Andy Aden, PE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2008 Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute Conference March 6, 2008 1 Outline Biofuels potential Current state

More information

Eric Woodford Woodf W o oodf rd r Cu sto t m, Inc. 1

Eric Woodford Woodf W o oodf rd r Cu sto t m, Inc. 1 Eric Woodford Woodford Custom, Inc. 1 Woodford Custom, Inc. Twelve years professional baling Located in Southwest Minnesota Hay & grain production Focused on the future biomass collection industry 2 Residue

More information

Liquid Biofuels for Transport

Liquid Biofuels for Transport page 1/11 Scientific Facts on Liquid Biofuels for Transport Prospects, risks and opportunities Source document: FAO (2008) Summary & Details: GreenFacts Context - Serious questions are being raised about

More information

Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Corn-Based Ethanol

Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Corn-Based Ethanol Assessing the Carbon Footprint of Corn-Based Ethanol Jan Lewandrowski, Senior Economist USDA, Office of the Chief Economist Event : 2018 ACES Conference Location: Arlington, VA Date: December 6, 2018 Background

More information

Projected U.S. Corn Exports, Acreage and Production Under E-10, E-12 and E-15 Ethanol Policies

Projected U.S. Corn Exports, Acreage and Production Under E-10, E-12 and E-15 Ethanol Policies Projected U.S. Corn Exports, Acreage and Production Under E-10, E-12 and E-15 Ethanol Policies Daniel O Brien, Extension Agricultural Economist, K-State Research and Extension July 19, 2010 This article

More information

Special Issue. Tillage Trends in Kansas

Special Issue. Tillage Trends in Kansas Number 282 February 7, 2011 Special Issue Tillage Trends in Kansas In 2010, a ground (driving) survey of tillage practices was conducted in 23 counties. The following analysis of Kansas tillage trends

More information

Choosing the Right Feedstock: Cost, Risk, and Sustainability Considerations

Choosing the Right Feedstock: Cost, Risk, and Sustainability Considerations Choosing the Right Feedstock: Cost, Risk, and Sustainability Considerations Madhu Khanna ACES Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Switchgrass Choice

More information

WRI POLICY NOTE. Corn Stover for Ethanol Production: Potential and Pitfalls. Key Findings. Policy Recommendations. ENERGY: BIOFUELS No.

WRI POLICY NOTE. Corn Stover for Ethanol Production: Potential and Pitfalls. Key Findings. Policy Recommendations. ENERGY: BIOFUELS No. WRI POLICY NOTE ENERGY: BIOFUELS No. 4 Corn Stover for Ethanol Production: Potential and Pitfalls LIZ MARSHALL, ZACHARY SUGG Key Findings 1. Even moderate harvest of corn stover and other agricultural

More information

Recommendation of the Interagency Group Establishing Agronomic Rates for. Energy Crops for Utilization by Biofuels Facilities.

Recommendation of the Interagency Group Establishing Agronomic Rates for. Energy Crops for Utilization by Biofuels Facilities. Recommendation of the Interagency Group Establishing Agronomic Rates for Energy Crops for Utilization by Biofuels Facilities. Final Report as required by Session Law 2011-198 December 1, 2014 Submitted

More information

The Conservation Reserve Program

The Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program James B. Johnson, Montana State University Richard T. Clark, University of Nebraska Background The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary long-term cropland

More information

BioEnergy Policy Brief January 2013

BioEnergy Policy Brief January 2013 Aggregate Economic Implications of National Cellulosic Biofuel Goals 1 Naveen C. Adusumilli, C. Robert Taylor, Ronald D. Lacewell, and M. Edward Rister Estimates of the domestic and international economic

More information

Sustainably Produced Bioenergy

Sustainably Produced Bioenergy Sustainably Produced Bioenergy California Biomass Collaborative 7th Annual Forum May 10-11, 2010 Davis, California Debbie Hammel, Senior Resource Specialist Natural Resources Defense Council Can Bioenergy

More information

Climate Change. Climate Change is Occurring

Climate Change. Climate Change is Occurring Climate Change Issue Summary: Earth s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events - like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures

More information

Introduction Triazine Herbicides and Conservation Tillage Soil Erosion Reduction with Conservation Tillage

Introduction Triazine Herbicides and Conservation Tillage Soil Erosion Reduction with Conservation Tillage BENEFITS OF TRIAZINE HERBICIDES IN REDUCING EROSION AND FUEL USE IN U.S. CORN PRODUCTION. Richard S. Fawcett, President, Fawcett Consulting, Huxley, IA 50124. Introduction Soil erosion is one of the greatest

More information

Fertilizer is a world market commodity, which means that supply

Fertilizer is a world market commodity, which means that supply Fertilizer supply Demand Supply demand, Energy Drive Global fertilizer prices The Fertilizer Institute Nourish, Replenish, Grow Fertilizer is a world market commodity necessary for the production of food,

More information

Sustainability of Food, Energy and Environment with Biofuels

Sustainability of Food, Energy and Environment with Biofuels Sustainability of Food, Energy and Environment with Biofuels Madhu Khanna Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics University of Illinois For A New Green Revolution? Meeting Global Food and Energy

More information

The Value of a Carbon Offset Market for Agriculture

The Value of a Carbon Offset Market for Agriculture The Value of a Carbon Offset Market for Agriculture The House of Representatives recently passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), a pending bill that would create a cap and trade

More information

Connections Between Midwest Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Water Quality

Connections Between Midwest Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Water Quality Connections Between Midwest Agriculture, Bioenergy, and Water Quality Dr. Chris Kucharik Department of Agronomy College of Agricultural and Life Sciences & Nelson Institute Center for Sustainability and

More information

This talk should cover:

This talk should cover: This talk should cover: Context for biomass cropping Crop choice in Iowa Basic Miscanthus management What we are doing in the Biomass Crop Production Group at ISU Context Crop Choice Miscanthus Research

More information

Statement for the Record By. Leonard P. Gianessi Senior Research Associate. And. Janet E. Carpenter Research Associate

Statement for the Record By. Leonard P. Gianessi Senior Research Associate. And. Janet E. Carpenter Research Associate Statement for the Record By Leonard P. Gianessi Senior Research Associate And Janet E. Carpenter Research Associate National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy Washington, DC On Plant Genome Science:

More information

The Economic and Policy Challenges of Biofuels

The Economic and Policy Challenges of Biofuels The Economic and Policy Challenges of Biofuels Madhu Khanna Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Economic, Environmental and Policy Challenges Growing

More information

How the Ethanol Program Is Driving Up Food Prices

How the Ethanol Program Is Driving Up Food Prices How the Ethanol Program Is Driving Up Food Prices Have you ever noticed a sticker on the gasoline pump that says, May Contain Up to 10% Ethanol? That s a sign of a federal government mandate that is supposed

More information

Farm Energy IQ. Bioenergy Feedstock Production for Agricultural Producers. Corn. Objectives. Corn Cobs. Production Costs 2/16/2015

Farm Energy IQ. Bioenergy Feedstock Production for Agricultural Producers. Corn. Objectives. Corn Cobs. Production Costs 2/16/2015 Farm Energy IQ Farm Energy IQ Farms Today Securing Our Energy Future Bioenergy Feedstock Production for Agricultural Producers Greg Roth, Penn State Department of Agronomy Bioenergy Feedstock Production

More information

SOYBEANS: DECLINING EXPORTS, LARGE STOCKS

SOYBEANS: DECLINING EXPORTS, LARGE STOCKS SOYBEANS: DECLINING EXPORTS, LARGE STOCKS JANUARY 2006 Darrel Good 2006 NO. 2 Summary At 3.086 billion bushels, the 2005 U.S. soybean crop was 43 million larger than the November forecast and only 38 million

More information

2007 U.S CORN PRODUCTION RISKS: WHAT DOES HISTORY TEACH US? Darrel Good and Scott Irwin May 17, 2007 MOBR 07-01

2007 U.S CORN PRODUCTION RISKS: WHAT DOES HISTORY TEACH US? Darrel Good and Scott Irwin May 17, 2007 MOBR 07-01 2007 U.S CORN PRODUCTION RISKS: WHAT DOES HISTORY TEACH US? Darrel Good and Scott Irwin May 17, 2007 MOBR 07-01 INTRODUCTION From May to October each year, the corn market typically finds direction from

More information

The global biot ech et hanol company

The global biot ech et hanol company The global biotech ethanol company ABENGOA BIOENERGY The global biot ech et hanol company Nebraska advanced biofuel opportunities utilizing grain sorghum as a feedstock Douglas Bice Corporate Project Development

More information

GRASS BIOMASS. By Jock Gill Grass Energy Collaborative, Inc. September Overview

GRASS BIOMASS. By Jock Gill Grass Energy Collaborative, Inc. September Overview GRASS BIOMASS By Jock Gill Grass Energy Collaborative, Inc. September 2006 Overview One of the most exciting renewable energy potentials emerging for farm development is grass and other herbaceous bioenergy

More information

Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era

Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era Tony J. Vyn Agronomy Department, Purdue University Abstract Recent developments in biofuel demand and the rapid adoption of modern

More information

Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era

Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era Optimizing Strip-Till and No-Till Systems for Corn in the Biofuel Era Tony J. Vyn Agronomy Department, Purdue University Abstract: Recent developments in biofuel demand and the rapid adoption of modern

More information

Pocket Guide to Ethanol

Pocket Guide to Ethanol Pocket Guide to Ethanol 1. ETHANOL FACTS AT A GLANCE 2. CORN USE/ DDG PRODUCTION 3. ECONOMIC IMPACTS/ OIL REDUCTIONS 4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE 5. RFS2 6. TAX INCENTIVE/TARIFF 7. CELLULOSIC 8. HIGHER LEVEL

More information

Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems

Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems Wildlife and Agricultural Ecosystems The changing agricultural landscape Green Revolution resulted in substantial changes in agriculture Yields have increased 2% per acre each year since 1948 Corn: 38.5

More information

Crops Marketing and Management Update

Crops Marketing and Management Update Crops Marketing and Management Update Grains and Forage Center of Excellence Dr. Todd D. Davis Assistant Extension Professor Department of Agricultural Economics Vol. 2019 (2) February 27, 2019 Topics

More information

HOG PROFITS NARROW AS CORN PRICE RISKS RISE

HOG PROFITS NARROW AS CORN PRICE RISKS RISE HOG PROFITS NARROW AS CORN PRICE RISKS RISE APRIL 2006 Chris Hurt 2006 NO. 3 After two years of notable profits, hog producers have started to worry about eroding hog prices and rising risk of higher corn

More information

Second Generation Biofuels: Economic and Policy Issues

Second Generation Biofuels: Economic and Policy Issues Second Generation Biofuels: Economic and Policy Issues Wally Tyner With Input from Farzad Taheripour March 27, 2012 Presentation Outline New data on global land use change Sources of uncertainty for second

More information

Detours on the Road to Sustainable Feedstock Production for Cellulosic Biofuel: Assessing Multidimensional Policy Approaches

Detours on the Road to Sustainable Feedstock Production for Cellulosic Biofuel: Assessing Multidimensional Policy Approaches Detours on the Road to Sustainable Feedstock Production for Cellulosic Biofuel: Assessing Multidimensional Policy Approaches Madhu Khanna Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics Energy Biosciences

More information

Positioning Your Plant to Maximize the Opportunity Created by Low Carbon Fuel Markets

Positioning Your Plant to Maximize the Opportunity Created by Low Carbon Fuel Markets Positioning Your Plant to Maximize the Opportunity Created by Low Carbon Fuel Markets Dr. Zhichao Wang, Ag & Env Engineer/ Carbon Analyst EcoEngineers ACE Aug. 16 th, 2018 Low Carbon Fuels in The News

More information

Range Fuels Plans for the Commercialization of Cellulosic Ethanol

Range Fuels Plans for the Commercialization of Cellulosic Ethanol Range Fuels Plans for the Commercialization of Cellulosic Ethanol Bio-Energy Wood Supply Chain Conference: New Opportunities, New Issues Bill Schafer, Sr. Vice President, Business Development Range Fuels,

More information

IRRIGATED SMALL GRAIN RESIDUE MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES

IRRIGATED SMALL GRAIN RESIDUE MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IRRIGATED SMALL GRAIN RESIDUE MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES D. Tarkalson 1, B. Brown 2, H. Kok 3, and D. Bjorneberg 1 1 USDA-ARS, Kimberly, ID 2 University of Idaho, Parma, ID 3 Washington State

More information

February Crop Market Update Department of Economic Analysis

February Crop Market Update Department of Economic Analysis Corn Price ($/bu) and Ethanol Price ($/gal) February 2011 - Crop Market Update Department of Economic Analysis In this edition: Energy Update: Matt Erickson, Economist Crop Update: Todd Davis, Senior Economist

More information

Cover Crop Management for Sustainability and Profitability. Mike Plumer Illinois Council on Best Management Practices

Cover Crop Management for Sustainability and Profitability. Mike Plumer Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Cover Crop Management for Sustainability and Profitability Mike Plumer Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Field without a cover crop severe erosion 2 Clean water runoff from ryegrass field 3

More information

The State and Future of U.S. Soils

The State and Future of U.S. Soils The State and Future of U.S. Soils National Academy of Sciences December 5, 2016 Jo Handelsman Associate Director for Science White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Value of Soil Food Security

More information

THE ECONOMICS OF CELLULOSIC ETHANOL

THE ECONOMICS OF CELLULOSIC ETHANOL THE ECONOMICS OF CELLULOSIC ETHANOL 2007 Mike Woolverton Kansas State University mikewool@agecon.ksu.edu Renewable Fuel Production Drivers 1. Energy Security 2. High Cost of Transportation Fuel 3. Post-peak

More information

Corn Production GHG Accounting/Modeling The State of the Science. Ron Alverson: Corn Producer, Board of Directors Dakota Ethanol

Corn Production GHG Accounting/Modeling The State of the Science. Ron Alverson: Corn Producer, Board of Directors Dakota Ethanol Corn Production GHG Accounting/Modeling The State of the Science Ron Alverson: Corn Producer, Board of Directors Dakota Ethanol Current Corn Grain Ethanol Fuel Carbon (GHG) Intensity Accounting/Modeling

More information

Re: Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR ; Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018; Proposed Rule

Re: Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR ; Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2017 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2018; Proposed Rule 1152 FIFTEENTH STREET NW, SUITE 430 WASHINGTON, DC 20005 PHONE: 202-296-2622 July 8, 2016 Submitted Electronically Via Regulations.gov Office of Transportation and Air Quality Environmental Protection

More information

A Brief Overview of U.S. Agricultural Conservation Policy

A Brief Overview of U.S. Agricultural Conservation Policy A Brief Overview of U.S. Agricultural Conservation Policy Roger Claassen Economic Research Service US Department of Agriculture The views expressed are those of the author and cannot necessarily be attributed

More information

Commercial Biomass and Biofuel Feedstock Farming in Florida

Commercial Biomass and Biofuel Feedstock Farming in Florida Commercial Biomass and Biofuel Feedstock Farming in Florida Florida produces very little biodiesel and no ethanol-only wood residue is harvested for biomass power. Why? There are no large feedstock farms!

More information

The Impact of Applying RINS to U.S. Ethanol Exports on Farm Revenue and the Economy. Prepared For: Growth Energy

The Impact of Applying RINS to U.S. Ethanol Exports on Farm Revenue and the Economy. Prepared For: Growth Energy The Impact of Applying RINS to U.S. Ethanol Exports on Farm Revenue and the Economy Prepared For: Growth Energy October 2017 Table of Contents I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 5 II. BACKGROUND... 7 III. METHODOLOGY...

More information

Proceedings of the 2007 CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show

Proceedings of the 2007 CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show Proceedings of the 2007 CPM Short Course and MCPR Trade Show December 4 6, 2007 Minneapolis Convention Center Do not Reproduce or Redistribute Without Written Consent of the Author(s) The Realities of

More information

U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard 2

U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard 2 Policy Update Number 6 April 2, 2010 U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard 2 Final Rule Summary Fig. 1. Projected volumes of renewable fuels under RFS2. Source: EPA 2010a. ICCT Policy Updates summarize and

More information

The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture

The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture The Impact of Demands for Energy and Environmental Services on Kansas Agriculture Charles W. Rice Department of Agronomy K-State Research and Extension Temperature Annual DJF JJA IPCC, 2007 2007 1 Precipitation

More information

The Opportunities and Risks of Large-scale Production of Biofuels

The Opportunities and Risks of Large-scale Production of Biofuels April 9, 2007 The Opportunities and Risks of Large-scale Production of Biofuels Research is urgently needed to help decision makers better understand and address the potential social and environmental

More information

Working Forests in National Energy Policy

Working Forests in National Energy Policy Working Forests in National Energy Policy Dave Tenny President and CEO National Alliance of Forest Owners National Alliance of Forest Owners Membership 24 Member Companies 20 Association Members 74 Million

More information