Biofuels Overview & Information

Overview

Biofuels refer to the fuels that are derived from plant matter or biomass. The most common transportation biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. With tax subsidies, higher prices for fossil based gasoline and diesel, and cleaner burning combustion, biofuels have become the choice for the environmentally conscious traveler. However, some see competition between food and biofuel grains as driving up food prices. In addition, with additional lands dedicated to growing biofuel grains, there is more environmental strain on both the farm land and aquatic systems that suffer from nitrogen run-off.

Corn based US ethanol production has increased from 1.6 billion gal per yr in 2000 to 4.9 billion gal per yr in 2006. There are 134 ethanol plants in 26 states with a capacity of 7.2 million gal per year and 77 plants under construction will add another 6.2 million gal per year of capacity. Recent amendments to the Renewable Fuel Standards requires that renewable fuel volumes be increased annually from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil (most commonly soy oil but also canola oil and palm oil) and animal fats (recycled fryer oil from restaurants). In the United States , 171 biodiesel plants have a capacity of 2.24 billion gallons per year; an additional 60 plants are under construction and will add 1.23 billion gallons per year of capacity.

Biofuel Wikipedia Article

Supporting Viewpoints

According to the Argonne National Laboratory, the use of 10 percent corn based ethanol in gasoline (instead of MBTE) reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 18 to 29 percent.

For 2006 this translates into a reduction in C02-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 8 million tons equal to removing the annual emissions of more than 1.21 million cars from the road. The potential for cellulosic ethanol is even greater with an 85-86 percent reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions. In addition ethanol reduces carbon monoxide tailpipe emissions and smog pollution

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil (most commonly soy oil but also canola oil and palm oil) and animal fats (recycled fryer oil from restaurants). In the United States , 171 biodiesel plants have a capacity of 2.24 billion gallons per year; an additional 60 plants are under construction and will add 1.23 billion gallons per year of capacity.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel, biodegradable, non-toxic, has fewer noxious emissions than petroleum based diesel, and has a higher flash point making them safer in the case of an accident.

Biofuels also reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Supporting Websites
US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Chicago Biofuels
American Coalition for Ethanol
Renewable Fuels Association
Biodiesel Now
National Biodiesel Board

Neutral Websites
Consumer Energy Council of America
Biofuels Digest

Opposing Viewpoints

While biofuels have contributed to less green house gas emissions in the short term, the massive scale plans for future biofuel production cannot help but result in higher food prices and also have a detrimental effect on the environment.

The increasing demand for corn, soybeans, and palm oil for biofuel production will drive up prices for food grains and thereby lead to higher food prices. The higher grain prices will also encourage more deforestation as land is converted to agricultural use. Deforestation would have a negative effect on the environment. In addition, there would be an extra demand on water resources, which in some areas are scare already. Higher fertilizer use can lead to problems for aquatic ecosystems like the Gulf of Mexico .

While many organizations and websites are opposed to the massive scale plans for biofuels, they are preferred over petroleum based fuels.