Biomass Research and Development Board releases landmark biofuels feedstock economic feasibility report

In Washington, the interagency Biomass Research and Development Board released a report on the economic feasibility for farm- and forest-derived biofuel feedstocks. The report covers constraints and implications of meeting national biofuel production goals and provides guidance for further research.

The report addresses feedstock production and logistic needs as an outcome from the National Biofuels Action Plan developed by the Board, chaired by officials from DOE and USDA. The report, available for free download here, addresses the types of feedstocks available,  at what prices, grown where, and with what implications for greenhouse gases and sustainability.

The study was based on an analysis of scenarios for specific biofuel targets, and with alternative assumptions about key variables like crop productivity and input prices.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

USDA and DOE announce two new research grant programs for feedstock and biofuel research

In Washington, two research grants have been announced by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Energy. The first, for Plant Feedstock Genomics Research, aims to improve biomass...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “Technical feasibility does not mean economic feasibility…Economic feasibility does not mean environmental, political or social feasibility.”

David Swenson of the Iowa State University Department of Economics:  "Right now, I’m not very optimistic about how [ethanol] will affect our rural economy. ...Technical feasibility does not mean ec...

National Science Board releases Building a Sustainable Energy Future report, calls for nationally coordinated research, development, demonstration, deployment, and education (RD3E) strategy

In Washington, the National Science Board released its draft report, Building a Sustainable Energy Future, and is seeking review and public comments through May 1. The report is available online he...

What You Thought: Digest readers give feedback on interest areas in biofuels: feedstocks, scientific advances dominate

In July, 2009, the Biofuels Digest conducted a survey of eNewsletter subscriber base.  Sister company Biomass Advisors analyzed the data on behalf of the Biofuels Digest to prepare this report. In...

Harvard releases “Biofuels and Sustainable Development” report: “simple ban on biofuel…is too blunt an instrument”

In Massachusetts, the Kennedy School of Research at Harvard University released a report, Biofuels and Sustainable Development, which said that "liquid biofuels can provide a much needed substitute to...

REN21 releases “Chinese Renewables Status Report 2009″ and datasets

In China, REN21 released  its report, "Recommendations for Improving the Effectiveness of Renewable Energy Policies in China," produced in collaboration with the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Ass...