In December 2007, the Congress expanded the renewable fuel standard (RFS), which requires rising use of ethanol and other biofuels, from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons in 2022.  To meet the RFS, the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) are developing advanced biofuels that use cellulosic feedstocks, such as corn stover and switchgrass. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
administers the RFS.

This report examines, among other things, (1) the effects of increased biofuels production on U.S. agriculture, environment, and greenhouse gas emissions; (2) federal support for domestic biofuels production; and (3) key challenges in meeting the RFS. GAO extensively reviewed scientific studies, interviewed experts and agency officials, and visited five DOE and USDA laboratories.

Produced By:  United States General Accountability Office

Original Publish Date:  2009

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI‐MU) has examined alternatives to current US ethanol policies. Some of the alternative scenarios modify or eliminate tax credits to
ethanol blenders, import tariffs and use mandates. Others make payments to ethanol plants, allow 15% ethanol blends and divert distillers grains from domestic feed markets.

Produced By:  Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI‐MU)

Authors: Seth Meyer, Pat Westhoff, Wyatt Thompson

Original Publish Date:  May 2009

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) establishes new renewable fuel categories and eligibility requirements.  EISA sets the first U.S. mandatory lifecycle GHG reduction thresholds for renewable fuel categories, as compared to those of average petroleum fuels used in 2005.  The regulatory purpose of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions analysis is to determine whether renewable fuels meet the GHG thresholds for the different categories of renewable fuel.

Produced By:  US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality

Original Publish Date:  May 2009

Transcription of Hearing on Low Carbon Fuel Standard Proposals

Committee on Agriculture
United States House of Representatives

Testimony of Bob Dinneen  President & CEO of the Renewables Fuels Association

Produced By:  Renewable Fuels Associaiton

Original Publish Date:  May 2009

This report is the result of a thorough review process, based on research of recent publications (mainly until the end of 2008, but considering also eminent articles published before June 2009), and the involvement of many experts worldwide. In particular, the report benefitted substantially from the exchange with the Rapid Assessment workshop held by the International SCOPE biofuels project in Germany, September 2008, and the subsequent publication of the proceedings, which had involved about 75 scientists from all continents and reflected a broad range of different views concerning the analysis and assessment of biofuels.

Produced By:  United Nations Environment Programme

Authors:  Stefan Bringezu, Helmut Schütz, Meghan O´Brien, Lea Kauppi, Robert W. Howarth, Jeff McNeely

Original Publish Date:  2009

URL:  http://www.unep.org

A business case reviewing the parameters that should be taken into consideration when determining the most advantageous location to build a commercial scale biodiesel production plant.

Authors:  Scott Metlin, Doug Haines and Amanda McAlexander

Produced by:  University of Idaho, Department of Business

BioDiesel can be developed in a variety of ways, resulting in various contaminents and potential impurities.  This White Paper looks at the standards related to BioDiesel and how the starting material, production process and subsequent handling influence BioDiesel fuel quality. 

Produced By:  National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research

Author:  Gerhard Knothe

Original Publish Date:  2006

An analysis by the US Department of Energy of the viability of Coconut Methyl Ester, a Coconut based Biodiesel produced in the Phillipines.

Prepared by: US Agency for International Development and the US Department of Energy's Policy and International Affairs Office

Authors:  T.L. Alleman and R.L. McCormick

Original Publish Date:  2006

This study follows a project that defined the scope and cost of a technology research and development program that demonstrated the feasibility of using an off the shelf, unmodified, large-bore diesel powered generator in a grid-connected application, utilizing various blends of BioDiesel as fuel.  The other primary goal of the project was to substantially reduce the Nitrous Oxide emissions from the burning of this fuel.

Report Recipient:  McMinnville Electric Systems

Department of Energy

Original Publish Date:  May 2007

A look at the compostion, challenges and compatability of using E85 (ethanol) as an aviation grade fuel. 

Prepared By: Energy and Environmental Research Center

This White Paper provides a detailed  comparison of operating costs for buses used in a transit system arc investigated considering four alternative fuels: biodiesel, compressed natural gas, methanol, and diesel.  The study considers both tangible costs such as fuel, maintenance, and infrastructure, and intangible costs associated with different levels of bus engine operating
reliability under alternative fuels.

Prepared For:  USDA Office of Energy and New Uses and the National Biodiesel Board

Authors:  Nicolas B. C. Ahouissoussi and Michael E. Wetzstein

This White Paper provides an overview of the Market & Public Policy Developments, Quality, Standards & Handling of the rapidly emerging Biodiesel space.

Prepared By:  The Methanol Institute and the International Fuel Quality Center

Original Publish Date: April 2006

The following provides an overview from the five surveys conducted on behalf of the National Biodiesel Board. The five survey projects include: U.S. consumers (December 15-16, 2005, 1,067 interviews), trucking company executives (January 3-4, 2006, 30 interviews), truck stop operators (January 3-4, 2006, 20 interviews), environmental organization leaders (January 4-6, 2006, 50 interviews), and health organization leaders (January 3-10, 2006, 50 interviews).

Prepared For:  National Biodiesel Board

Prepared By:  Moore Information

Original Publish Date:  February 2006

A study reviewing 9 city transit buses over a period of two years.  Five of the buses operated on a B20 (20% biodiesel blend) and the other four on pertroleum diesel.  The buses were compared in terms of fuel economy, vehicle maintenance cost, road calls and emissions.

Prepared For:  National Renewable Energy Laboratory - US Dept of Energy

Authors:  Lou Ha and Howard Fang

Original Publish Date:  2006

This White Paper details the emission, environmental and performance results of a 1000 hour test of a prototype model year 2007 Cummins ISL engine using B20 soy-based biodiesel blend with ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel.

Prepared for: National Biodiesel Board

Authors: Michael D. Fiest and Imad A. Khalek, PhD

Original Publish Date: September 2007, Appended June 2008