Description |
1 online resource (xxi, 393 pages) : illustrations (some color), color maps |
Summary |
"In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels. Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate. Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report."--Publisher's description. |
Contents |
Introduction -- Biofuel Supply Chain -- Projected Supply of Cellulosic Biomass -- The Economics and Economic Effects of Biofuel Production -- Environmental Effects and Tradeoffs of Biofuels -- Barriers to Achieving RFS2 -- APPENDIXES -- A: Statement of Task -- B: Biographical Sketches -- C: Presentations to the Committee -- D: Glossary -- E: Select Acronyms and Abbreviations -- F: Conversion Factors -- G: Petroleum-Based Fuel Economics -- H: Ethanol Biorefineries in Operation or Under Construction in the United States in 2010 -- I: Biodiesel Refineries in the United States in 2010 -- J: Economic Models Used to Assess the Effects of Biofuel Production in the United States -- K: BioBreak Model: Assumptions for Willingness to Accept -- L: BioBreak Model Assumptions -- M: Summary of Literature Estimates -- N: Blend Wall -- O: Safety and Quality of Biofuel Coproducts as Animal Feed. |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
Note |
Print version record. |
Subject |
Biomass energy industries -- Standards -- United States.
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Renewable energy sources -- Standards -- United States.
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Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
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Energy crops industry -- United States.
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Energy policy -- United States.
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TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING -- Power Resources -- General.
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Added Author |
National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
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National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Energy and Environmental Systems.
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Other Form: |
Print version: National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production. Renewable fuel standard. Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, ©2011 9780309187527 (OCoLC)773828613 |
ISBN |
9780309187510 (electronic bk.) |
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0309187516 (electronic bk.) |
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9780309187527 (electronic bk.) |
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0309187524 (electronic bk.) |
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