Biofuels

The Energetics of Ethanol: An Introduction and Link to Studies

dmorris — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:58:33 -0500

Does it take more energy to make ethanol than is contained in ethanol? That question continues to haunt the ethanol industry even after nearly 30 years of expanding production. Over the years more than 20 scientific studies have examined the question. This document contains links to the major studies of the subject completed during the last decade or so.

Report: Rural Power: Community-Scaled Renewable Energy and Rural Economic Development

jbailey — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:55:44 -0500

The next 20 years could generate as much as $1 trillion in new renewable energy investment in rural America. This new Ford Foundation-sponsored study by John Farrell and David Morris provides a policy roadmap for states and the federal government that would encourage modest-sized renewable energy facilities and local ownership.

Cellulosic Biofuels: Another Opportunity for Washington to Marry Agriculture and Energy Goals

dmorris — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:48:24 -0500

Today, cellulosic ethanol can no longer be ignored. Even as the quantity of ethanol from corn increases, the age of corn ethanol is drawing to a close. Few new corn-to-ethanol plants will be built beyond those currently in the ﬁnancing and construction pipeline. The opportunity to build on the farmer-owned corn-to-ethanol bioreﬁnery model is over. But the opportunity for local ownership is just beginning for cellulosic biofuels. This piece by David Morris was originally published in Ethanol Today magazine.

Driving Our Way to Energy Independence

jbailey — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:56:43 -0500

Updating a pathbreaking 2003 report, ILSR's March 2008 report, Driving Our Way to Energy Independence, describes how commercially available technologies today could transform our petroleum powered transportation system into one powered by electricity and biofuels. Provisions in the recently passed Energy Act could accelerate that transformation.

New Anti-Ethanol Studies Reach Wrong Conclusion on Greenhouse Gases

jbailey — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:35:54 -0600

A new policy brief from Institute for Local Self Reliance criticizes the authors of two recent studies published in Science for advancing a conclusion not supported by their own studies. ILSR's paper notes that the vast majority of today's ethanol production comes from corn cultivated on land that has been in corn production for generations.

Carbon Caps With Universal Dividends: Equitable, Ethical & Politically Effective Climate Policy

jbailey — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:17:15 -0600

A new policy brief from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance concludes that universal dividends are a critically important tool to create the political will and public acceptance for a carbon cap. Universal dividends have the potential to hold harmless a large segment of consumers while we move to a low-carbon economy. Moreover, the universal dividend honors the principle that the sky belongs to all of us equally.

Column: On Renewable Energy, Go Local

jbailey — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:32:34 -0500

This column by ILSR's John Farrell argues that in their desire to expand renewable-energy production, activists and policymakers focus almost entirely on "more," rather than "better." Twenty-seven states have renewable-energy standards, requiring utilities to produce or sell 10, 20, even 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources in the next two decades. The U.S.

Report: Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale

jbailey — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:02:57 -0500

Congress and most state legislatures have or are developing renewable energy policies with a single objective: get more renewables. Our new study, Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale, finds that this single minded focus ignores the potential economic benefits from locally owned and more modestly scaled facilities. The focus should on better renewable energy projects not simply more.

Nebraska Ethanol Plant Taps Cow Power Next Door

jbailey — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:24:37 -0500

In Nebraska, cows are helping to produce ethanol. A 28,000-cow feedlot in Mead, Nebraska, is powering the neighboring Genesis Ethanol Plant, owned by E3 Biofuels LLC. The cows are providing 300,000 tons of manure per year, which is turned into methane via anaerobic digestion and accounts for 100% of the thermal energy needed to distill 25 million gallons of ethanol each year.

Column: Emissions Cap is Key in Addressing Climate Issue

jbailey — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:01:31 -0500

This column by David Morris and Peter Barnes argues for a three pronged strategy on climate protection. First, a comprehensive emission cap. Second, a carbon auction for suppliers of carbon fuels. And lastly, a universal and equal distribution of revenues from that sale. Three keys to an effective and equitable strategy to reduce global warming.