Carbon intensity variance in fossil fuels creates regional options for biofuels

In Massachusetts, NESCAUM provides background data on the proposition that the carbon intensity of fossil fuels varies intensely by the source, and that Low Carbon Fuels Standards that rate biofuels by feedstock and geography should also rate the fossil fuels they substitute for with the same measure.

Based on data from the Energy Information Administration, Don Scott of the NBB, commenting on the NASCAUM presentation, said that “Carbon intensity ranges from 13.6 to 128.6 Kg Co2e/bbl.  This means GHG emissions from Nigerian crude are 945% worse than Saudi crude and 531% worse than U.S. crude…This data is sourced from EIA, and can be used quite easily to determine the differing carbon intensity of fuels  in a given region…It is quite possible that individual state baselines can be developed as well.  For instance, it is documented that the state of Minnesota gets 83% of their crude oil from Canadian oil sands.”

The slides can be downloaded from the Digest’s Biofuels Information Zone, here.