Biotech Updates

Canadian Renewable Fuels Association's Biofuels Impact Report

May 28, 2010
http://www.greenfuels.org/files/Doyletech%20Total%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20Biofuels%20Plants.pdf
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3797

The Biomass Magazine website reports some highlights of the Biofuels Impact Report released by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), which assesses the economic impacts of renewable investments in Canada. The CFRA commissioned Doyletech (a technology management and research consulting firm) to use its "EconWin model to create total impact assessments for all 28 plants either operating or under construction, taking into account the opportunity costs associated with the construction of a plant". Among the highlights of the study are: (1) the opportunity costs of alternate feedstock sales and renewable energy plants in Canada represent a net economic benefit, which extends from construction phase to current annual operations phase, (2) the major benefits of renewable fuel plants are not merely the provision of transport fuels, but also other benefits, such as the provision of vehicles for rural revitalization and industrial development, (3) all levels of government benefit from renewable fuel plants; "it would seem that incentive programs to encourage biofuels production and use in Canada have been wise investments"..