CAST Commentary Evaluates Production of Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuels

World biofuel production rely heavily on field crops which in the long run could possibly compete with food crops in the utilization of water and fertile land. Thus, initiatives have been started to look at the possible use of biomass for biofuels including the release of a new Commentary on "Convergence of Agriculture and Energy II: Producing Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuels" by the Counci for Agriculture Science and Technology (CAST). Task Force Chair Dr. Steve L. Fales, Associate Director, Office of Biorenewables Program, Iowa State University, Ames, said that " Immediate national investments are needed along with changes in policy, to address challenges limiting the sustainable production and efficient use of cellulosic biomass as a fuel feedstock to meet anticipated U.S. demand.”

The commentary answers several critical questions, including: issues associated with current and future feedstock supplies; efficient production methods; characteristics of crops developed specifically for production of biomass; improvements in the feedstock supply system; and public education strategies of comprehensive principles of biomass-to-ethanol production.

For details, access the full document at:http://www.cast-science.org/websiteUploads/publicationPDFs/CAST%20Commentary%202007-2%207o12145.pdf

The news release can be viewed at: http://www.cast-science.org/