Updated Study on the Opportunities of Biofuel Growth in the United States

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigated the opportunities for growth in the biofuel industry in the United States of America. This study was an update from their 2005 study with added in-depth production and cost analyses and sustainability studies. In their report, the researchers identified the biomass resources which could be used to produce clean, renewable bioenergy as three types: (1) Forest Biomass and Wood Waste Resources; (2) Agricultural Biomass and Waste Resources; and (3) Biomass Energy Crops.

For each biomass resource, comprehensive country-level data and analysis based on rigorous models are presented in order to provide an insight on the biofuel growth potential in the USA. Among the highlights of their report are: (1) the feedstock resources identified could produce about 85 billion gallons of biofuels, which are sufficient to replace approximately 30 per cent of the nation's current petroleum consumption; (2) increases in biomass-derived energy sources can be produced in a sustainable manner through the use of widely-accepted conservation practices,such as no-till farming and crop rotation; and (3) biomass resources could be increased from a current 473 million dry tons annually to nearly 1.1 billion dry tons by 2030, under a conservative set of assumptions about future increases in crop yield.

With their report, the researchers aim to help the public and private sector grow the bioenergy industry and help achieve the goals of dramatically expanding renewable energy resources and developing alternative fuels for America's transportation sector. The full report is available online (URL above).