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SWBA Environmental Policy The Southwest Biofuels Association (SWBA) is a non-profit organization promoting renewable biofuels through strategic partnerships between the Southwest’s biofuel industry, universities, national laboratories, state agencies, educators, consumers, business entrepreneurs, agribusiness, environmental and other interested organizations. SWBA fully endorses an ecosystem-based, scientifically grounded approach to solving the energy crisis in the United States and eliminating our dependence on foreign oil. Climate across the U.S. is as varied as the unique cultures in each region. Not all geographic locations are suitable for producing biofuels from the same biomass source. The SWBA believes each geographical region in the U.S. should focus on the biofuel sources that are best suited for that region. National, regional and state energy policies should promote this ecologically based biofuels approach for several reasons. First, a focus on biofuel sources that grow best in a region capitalizes on the natural resources that are abundant in a particular region, such as climate, water, and sunlight, in order to maximize the biomass that can be converted to biofuels. Second, policies that promote an ecological approach will minimize the cost and environmental impact of distributing produced biofuels to the end customer. As shown in Figure 1, the U.S. can be divided into ecosystems that have distinct climates that are amenable to growing specific plant species. As we all know, the Midwest region has a climate that makes it ideal for growing corn and has been termed the “Corn Belt”. The Northern Plains are ideal for growing wheat. Likewise, Hawaii, with its abundant sunshine, mild temperatures and high rainfall make it an ideal climate for growing sugarcane.
Figure 1: Main crop producing regions of the United States. Source: http://www.usda.gov Recent studies done by Oakridge National Laboratory looked at which alternative crops could be grown in various geographic regions to create abundant sources of biomass for cellulosic conversions. The results of their analysis can be seen in Figure 2. Again, it is clear that different crop species will benefit from different regions in the U.S. Regions with temperate climates and good rainfall, such as Hawaii, California and southern Florida are superb environments for biomass derived from eucalyptus. The Northern Plains states have a climate that is more suitable for switchgrass and canary grass growth.
Figure 2: Ideal U.S. regions for alternative biomass crops. Source: http://www.ornl.gov. The focus of the SWBA is the Southwest region that includes New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Southern California, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma. The Southwest has high intensity sunlight, mild winter temperatures, and a long growing season. In addition, southern New Mexico has the Permian Basin, a vast brine water aquafer that can supply water for the construction of algal ponds from which biodiesel can be produced. Not only is the southwest climate ideal for algal biofuels, but a hearty species called camelina that requires minimal input to create high quality vegetable oil for biodiesel is also well-suited for the region. Another species of plant, jatropha, may also make a desirable crop for the southwest region because of its drought resistant qualities and good defenses against pests. Research on jatropha is still in its infancy. Another important reason that SWBA supports an environmental approach to biofuels production is the considerable cost of biofuel distribution. For example, consider corn-based ethanol. It is well known that the “Corn Belt” is the source for the majority of ethanol produced in the U.S. As Figure 3 clearly shows, the location of current ethanol production facilities is clustered in the Corn Belt.
Figure 3: US Ethanol Biorefineries Ethanol’s distribution problems may be addressed if we consider that corn is not the only source for the fuel. A variety of biomass sources could be developed to solve the transportation issue. Scientists are investigating cellulosic ethanol that uses all parts of a plant. The emergence of cellulosic ethanol can lead to regionally produced ethanol in areas that cannot economically grow corn but have a variety of other abundant biomass. The other likely consideration for the transport of biofuels would be via semi trucks. For reference, a large pipeline can transport roughly two million barrels of gasoline a day. By way of comparison, 9,375 large semi-truck tankers are required to transport two million barrels of product. This approach to distributing biofuels is financially unattractive. Unfortunately, ethanol is not the only biofuel that is facing issues with a distribution network. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an office of the Department of Transportation, is currently accepting comment on a policy, leading to regulation, that would determine which biofuels, if any, would be capable of distribution through the current pipeline network. This will be important work, but it will take time as research is conducted and rulemaking is completed, and could result in restrictions on the pipeline transport of some biofuels, adding support for an ecosystem approach to biofuels development in the U.S. that minimizes transport. More information about this initiative can be found on the PHMSA website. In conclusion, the SWBA strongly supports the development of biofuels for specific regions of the U.S. by focusing on the plant species that leverage each region’s unique environment for the greatest yield. It is this approach that compelled SWBA to support the extension of the biofuels subsidy to continue past the 2008 deadline. These subsidies allow an ecosystem-based approach by creating financial incentives that benefit those biofuels that are best suited for each geographic region. Only by taking this wide ranging, environmentally-based approach to our current energy crisis may the U.S. someday become independent of its reliance on foreign oil. For more information, or to join in our discussion, please Contact SWBA. |
