Potential impacts of biofuels expansion on natural resources - A case study of the Ogallala aquifer region

Jan 2007

Renewable fuels whose use and production result in a net decrease in greenhouse gas emissions are one of the best opportunities to address global warming. However, biofuels may not live up to their promise as environmentally friendly fuels without policies that differentiate between types of production and that focus incentives on more sustainable options.
The ongoing expansion of U.S. corn ethanol production demonstrates the need for such policy measures. Recent increases in oil prices and concerns about the security of America’s oil supply have led to a 20% increase in corn ethanol production in the last year (Collins 2006). Expansion of ethanol production—particularly to meet President Bush’s goal of 35 billion gallons by 2015—is almost certain to result in a major increase in corn production, at least until marketable technologies exist to produce cellulosic ethanol.
In the United States, rising corn demand and commodity prices put two types of “fallow” land particularly at risk: U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands and uncultivated native grasslands.
Although CRP acreage may make up the majority of new cropland, expanded biofuels production will also put pressure on remaining tracts of native grassland. Rates of grassland conversion and loss could increase as a result of higher corn prices and increased corn demand.
This case study discusses the potential impact of ethanol expansion in one representative area with already strained natural resources. Assumptions have been made associated with defining water use, irrigated cropland expansion and loss of grasslands due to the lack of information on environmental effects of rising ethanol production.
Nevertheless, it seems clear that increased local demand for biofuel feedstocks and record commodity prices are likely to create unsustainable demands in areas like the Ogallala region, where water and land resources with important conservation values are already under stress.

By: M. G. Roberts, T. D. Male, T. P. Toombs (Environmental Defense)

 
download this document:   1665 kb
home