Next-generation biofuels: Near-term challenges and implications for agriculture

Next-generation U.S. biofuel capacity should reach about 88 million gallons in 2010, thanks in large measure to one plant becoming commercially operational in 2010, using noncellulosic animal fat to produce green diesel. U.S. production capacity for cellulosic biofuels is estimated to be 10 million gallons for 2010, much less than the 100 million gallons originally mandated for use by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. In early 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency lowered the cellulosic biofuel mandate to 6.5 million gallons, more in line with production prospects. Even so, expansion of next-generation fuels will have to be rapid to meet subsequent annual mandates and the longer term goal of 16...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Biofuels, bioenergy, cellulosic ethanol, feedstocks, next-generation biofuels, All tags... petroleum-equivalent fuels, Fewer tags