EPA rule proposals for 2007 energy act imminent: current corn, cellulosic ethanol plants may not qualify under certain scenarios

In Iowa, the Des Moines Register published an early look at the EPA rules that will implement the 2007 renewable fuel standard.

Possible: the EPA formula would take into account not only emissions, but the impact of land-use change. Impact: “Even projects that would make fuel from nonfood crops such as switchgrass could be affected by the EPA rules, if the land that the grass will be grown on is now planted to corn, wheat or other food crops.” The 2007 legislation requires EPA to consider land-use effects in determining which fuels count towards the renewable fuel standard.

Possible: coal fired or natural gas fired plants would not qualify because of the emissions generated in the fermentation process. Possible: emissions from newly broken land will be measured over a 100-year period. Impact: choosing a shorter period could disqualify all corn ethanol.

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