Renewable Fuel Standard

Renewable Fuel Standard
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2012-01-29
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309187516

In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels. Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate. Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report.

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
Author: Randy Schnepf
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2011-05
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1437942520

Federal policy has played a key role in the emergence of the U.S. biofuels industry. Policy measures include minimum renewable fuel usage requirements, blending and production tax credits, an import tariff, loans, and research grants. This report focuses on the mandated minimum usage requirements, the RFS, whereby a minimum volume of biofuels is to be used in the national transport. fuel supply each year. It describes the general nature of the RFS mandate and its implementation, and outlines some emerging issues related to the sustainability of the continued growth in U.S. biofuels production needed to fulfill the expanding RFS mandate, as well as the emergence of potential unintended consequences of this rapid expansion. A print on demand report.

Energy’s Water Demand: Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Management

Energy’s Water Demand: Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Management
Author: Nicole T. Carter
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN: 1437944361

The nation's energy choices embody many tradeoffs. Water use is one of those tradeoffs. The energy choices before Congress represent vastly different demands on domestic freshwater. The energy sector's water consumption is projected to rise 50% from 2005 to 2030. This rising water demand derives from both an increase in the amount of energy demanded and shifts to more water-intense energy sources and technologies. This report discusses this issue as well as related issues that may arise for the 112th Congress.

Renewable Energy Programs in the 2008 Farm Bill

Renewable Energy Programs in the 2008 Farm Bill
Author: Megan Stubbs
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 20
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN: 1437944345

This report discuses the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246, the 2008 farm bill) that extends and expands many of the renewable energy programs originally authorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Energy Ethanol

Energy Ethanol
Author: Brent Yacobucci
Publisher: The Capitol Net Inc
Total Pages: 445
Release: 2009-12-31
Genre:
ISBN: 1587332175

Next-Generation Biofuels

Next-Generation Biofuels
Author: William T. Coyle
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2010
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1437933483

Assesses the short-term outlook for production of next-generation biofuels and the near-term challenges facing the sector. Next-generation U.S. biofuel capacity should reach about 88 mill. gal. in 2010, thanks to one plant becoming commercially operational in 2010, using non-cellulosic animal fat to produce green diesel. U.S. production capacity for cellulosic biofuels is estimated to be 10 mill. gal. for 2010, much less than the 100 mill. gal. originally mandated in 2007. Near-term sector challenges include reducing high capital and production costs, acquiring financial resources for pre-commercial development, developing new biomass supply arrangements, and overcoming the constraints of ethanol¿s current 10-percent blending limit with gasoline. Charts and tables.

Agricultural Conservation Issues in the 111th Congress

Agricultural Conservation Issues in the 111th Congress
Author: Megan Stubbs
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 30
Release: 2010-11
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 143792610X

Agricultural conservation has been a public policy issue for more than 60 years. Congress has repeatedly taken action on the issue through water and soil legislation, often as part of omnibus farm bills. The USDA¿s conservation efforts have centered on implementing these conservation programs through working land conservation practices, retiring land from production or estab. conservation easements, and providing technical assistance. The climate change debate and use of ecosystem services markets has brought conservation to the forefront of discussion on the role of agriculture in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Also, the effect of ethanol production on natural resources and changes in land use is an ongoing concern in the area of biofuels policy.