Addendum to Bura Seminar

At the conclusion of Thursday's seminar, Renata received a question about the government's commitment to biofuel production.  I piped up inquiring if anyone knew anything about the Energy Bill recently passed by Congress (Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007).  

I did some brief, research, and here's what I found:

• "H.R. 6 would expand the renewable fuels standard to 9 billion gallons in 2008 (presently 4.7 in 2007) and progressively increase it to a 36 billion gallon requirement by 2022.  Additionally, H.R. 6 makes a historic commitment to cellulosic ethanol by requiring that by 2022 the United States produce 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol." (From the executive summary)
  
• Starting in 2016, the increase in the renewable fuel standard must be met with what the government deems advanced biofuels, based on cellulosic/non corn starch feedstock derived ethanol.  This is the historic commitment.  But wait...
• However, the EPA Administrator is given authority to temporarily waive part of the biofuels mandate, if it is determined that a significant renewable feedstock disruption or other market circumstance might occur.  This loophole is wide, and seems to lessen the commitment by some degree.  Nevertheless, a framework is in place.
• Bura herself may be interested in this note..."Grants are authorized for R&D and commercial applications of cellulosic biofuels.  The Secretary of Energy is required to report to Congress on the feasibility of algae as a feedstock for biofuels production." (From the CRS Summary).
• Lastly, renewable fuels produced from new biorefineries will be required to reduce by at least 20% the life cycle greenhouse gases relative to life cycle emissions from gasoline and diesel.  Based on what Renata had to say, it seems that this goal is feasible.

I would direct anyone looking for more information to the following report:

Selected Issues Related to an Expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard