Today in Biofuels Opinion: “Corn ethanol was our first attempt at a biofuel. And once it was given serious scholarship, serious analysis, we realized it has some major flaws.”

David Tilman, University of Minnesota, on the PBS NewsHour: “I think it was started with the best of intentions, but the problem with corn ethanol is that it turns out it takes a lot of energy just to grow corn, which we hadn’t thought about. The fertilizer, the pesticides, all those things require energy. Corn ethanol was our first attempt at a biofuel. And once it was given serious scholarship, serious analysis, we realized it has some major flaws.

Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, on the PBS NewsHour: “Keep in mind, ethanol doesn’t necessarily all have to come from corn. In the last farm bill, I put a lot of effort into supporting cellulose ethanol, and I think that’s what you’re going to see in the future. You’re going to see a lot of marginal land that’s not suitable for row crop production, because it’s hilly, or it’s not very productive for corn or soybeans, things like that, but it can be very productive for grasses, like miscanthus, or switchgrass, and you can use that to make the cellulose ethanol.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

EPA publishes results of peer review of indirect land use change

In Washington, the peer review of the renewable fuel standards lifecycle analysis - prominently, the analysis of international indirect land use change - is now available online from the EPA. The Rene...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “In Africa, the biofuel frenzy is the newest form of colonialism.”

Meredith Niles in Gristmill: "Biofuel production in Mozambique is not a Congressional mandate or an attempt to wean a country off of its massive oil dependence. In Africa, the biofuel frenzy is the ne...

Writers, scientists cross swords in global battle over biofuels

A new section debuts in Biofuels Digest today - World Opinion, in recognition of the growing debate over biofuels. Biofuels producers, finaciers, policymakers, friends and foes alike should pay increa...

Biodiesel-powered Earthrace to commence circumnavigation record attempt on Sunday

The B100-powered, 78-foot trimaran Earthrace will commence its attempt on the world record for powerboat circumnavigation of the globe on Sunday. Earthrace's crew are aiming to circumnavigate the glob...

POET jumps into presidential campaign with open letter from employees to Obama, McCain

In South Dakota, more than 1700 employees of POET wrote to Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama to call for increased support of ethanol. "We strongly encourage you to support energy policies to ens...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “the inclusion of indirect land use change measurements and methodology – may discourage investment in continued research and development.”

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Executive Vice President Brent Erickson: “The biotechnology industry supports and applauds California’s attempt to mitigate the impact of transportation o...