Open up the RFS, says Ethanol Across America white paper

KATZEN International chief says generation 1.5 ethanol is the key path to reaching RFS2 targets – with new feedstocks, advanced fermentation plants.

Phil Madson, President of KATZEN International, has authored a new Ethanol Across America White Paper that makes a compelling case for removing barriers to the production of Advanced Biofuels by allowing a wider range of feedstocks.

In the quest for 2nd generation fuels, Madson lays out a pathway for what he terms as “Gen 1.5” that would remove the cellulose mandate and unleash a wave of technology and feedstocks that would make the 16 billion gallons currently limited to cellulosic feedstocks a more attainable goal.

“A superior strategy for meeting the objectives of RFS2,” Madson writes, “would be to encourage the development of non-cellulosic Advanced Biofuels production in the U.S. to realize a significant reduction in GHG emissions domestically. There are strong reasons to be optimistic about this strategy. The EPA approved a new Advanced Biofuel pathway for grain sorghum-to-ethanol produced at plants using biogas in combination with combined heat and power (CHP) technology. A number of petitions for new bioethanol pathways are expected to qualify for Advanced Biofuel status, as well.

“Technology to produce Gen 1.5 ethanol from a variety of feedstocks and a variety of pathways has been implemented in many plants globally. Building upon such technologies, it is straightforward to design bioethanol processes utilizing alternative feedstocks such as grain sorghum (milo), triticale, barley, wheat, industrial sweet potatoes, energy sugar beets, and others to meet Advanced Biofuel requirements. Revising RFS2 to encourage development of these alternatives is the most sensible strategy that will lead to genuine reductions in GHG emissions and genuine growth of the biofuels industry.”

The free white paper can be downloaded here.