Environmental benefits and consequences of biofuels development in the United States

May 2007

This brief was written in the context of the January 2007 State-of-the-Union address delivered by former American President Bush, in which the Bush Administration proposed expanding biofuel development and production to reduce gasoline use by 15% by 2017.
This paper examines primary biofuels that have been developed in the US and their benefits and concerns. In particular it draws attention to side effects that have not been considered by US mainstream media and Government. In light of this, this report affirms that expanding the American corn grain production might not significantly offset US fuel consumption rates and may create further ecological and socio-economic challenges.
In addition, the authors explain that to reach a 15% level of biofuel use (as gas consumption) by 2017 the US would have to greatly expand biofuel production capacity. This increase will require a land use change and the development of a new and enormous industrial sector. Although US greatly reduce its total fuel consumption, no grain ethanol production will represent a significant contribution to the US total demand of transportation fuels.
Taking into account this background, this brief paper gives an assessment of the three forms of biofuels (corn grain ethanol, biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol) and an analysis of the ecological concerns and consequences of their development.

By: The Wilderness Society

 
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