“Water footprint” of biofuels production explored in new study

In Texas, researchers at Rice University released a report “The Water Footprint of Biofuels: A Drink or Drive Issue?”, in which the scientists caution that “The ongoing, rapid growth in biofuels production could have far-reaching environmental and economic repercussions, and it will likely highlight the interdependence and growing tension between energy and water security”.

The water footprint of biofuels is defined to include both water usage for crops and production processes, plus the run off of fertilizers, chemicals and sediment. The report finds that it takes 50 gallons of water per mile for corn ethanol to be grown in Nebraska, compared to 23 in Iowa, compared to 115 gallons per mile for ethanol produced from Texas sorghum.

The authors urge that biofuels should be supported by rainfall, instead of irrigation.

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