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May 23, 2012

MEMORANDUM

TO: Air Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0542

SUBJECT: Supporting Documentation for the Notice of Data Availability 

(NODA) Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced from Grain 

Sorghum Under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program

This memorandum accompanies information related to EPA’s analysis of lifecycle greenhouse 

gas (GHG) emissions from ethanol produced from grain sorghum. As explained in the preamble 

to the Notice of Data Availability (NODA), our analysis utilizes several data sources and models. 

To facilitate public review, below is a brief description of the informational materials which 

accompany this memorandum.

1. Summary of Grain Sorghum Modeling Inputs and Assumptions

This memorandum provides information on the key inputs and assumptions used in EPA’s 

lifecycle analysis of grain sorghum used as a feedstock to produce ethanol. Assumptions include 

crop yields, co-products, processing emissions, and other important factors in our lifecycle 

analysis.

2. FASOM Results

A spreadsheet that contains domestic agricultural output from the FASOM model for the “grain 

sorghum control case” and the “grain sorghum 300MG case.”

3. FAPRI-CARD Grain Sorghum Control Case Results

A spreadsheet that contains the international agricultural results from the FAPRI-CARD model 

for the “grain sorghum control case.”

4. FAPRI-CARD Grain Sorghum 300MG Case Results

A spreadsheet that contains the international agricultural results from the FAPRI-CARD model 

for the “grain sorghum 300MG case.”

5. BSLAM Sorghum NODA

This Excel-based model is used to perform EPA’s stochastic analysis of international land use 

change GHG emissions impacts induced by grain sorghum ethanol. The results from this model 

are input into the results spreadsheet to calculate a 95% confidence range for lifecycle GHG 

emissions.

6. Sorghum Impact Calculations – 0% Wet DG

This spreadsheet calculates GHG emissions per unit of grain sorghum ethanol. The spreadsheet 

integrates results from of each stage of the renewable fuel lifecycle (e.g., feedstock production, 

domestic and international agricultural emissions, fuel transport and distribution). The only

piece of the lifecycle analysis not calculated in this spreadsheet is the emissions from 

international land use change. The results from the impact calculation spreadsheet are used in 
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the results spreadsheet, which compares the lifecycle GHG emissions of grain sorghum ethanol

with the 2005 petroleum baseline. Results in this file assume 0% wet DG at the grain sorghum 

ethanol production process. 

7. Sorghum Impact Calculations – 92% Wet DG

This spreadsheet calculates GHG emissions per unit of grain sorghum ethanol. The spreadsheet 

integrates results from of each stage of the renewable fuel lifecycle (e.g., feedstock production, 

domestic and international agricultural emissions, fuel transport and distribution). The only

piece of the lifecycle analysis not calculated in this spreadsheet is the emissions from 

international land use change. The results from the impact calculation spreadsheet are used in 

the results spreadsheet, which compares the lifecycle GHG emissions of grain sorghum ethanol

with the 2005 petroleum baseline. Results in this file assume 92% wet DG at the grain sorghum 

ethanol production process. 

8. Sorghum Impact Calculations – 100% Wet DG

This spreadsheet calculates GHG emissions per unit of grain sorghum ethanol. The spreadsheet 

integrates results from of each stage of the renewable fuel lifecycle (e.g., feedstock production, 

domestic and international agricultural emissions, fuel transport and distribution). The only

piece of the lifecycle analysis not calculated in this spreadsheet is the emissions from 

international land use change. The results from the impact calculation spreadsheet are used in 

the results spreadsheet, which compares the lifecycle GHG emissions of grain sorghum ethanol

with the 2005 petroleum baseline. Results in this file assume 100% wet DG at the grain sorghum 

ethanol production process. 

9. Sorghum International Agriculture Energy Emissions

This spreadsheet includes data about agricultural energy use in foreign countries. It is used to 

project lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by additional crop production in 

foreign countries. Specifically emissions associated with:

 Energy use per hectare of foreign crop production

10. Sorghum International Agriculture NPK Pesticide

This spreadsheet includes data about agricultural fertilizer inputs in foreign countries. It is used 

to project lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by additional crop production in 

foreign countries. Specifically emissions associated with:

 Fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide use per hectare of foreign crop production;

 Nitrous oxide emissions per metric ton of foreign fertilizer application;

Upstream emissions from fertilizer production are calculated separately in the impact calculation 

spreadsheet.
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11. Sorghum International Rice Emissions

This spreadsheet includes data about rice methane emissions in foreign countries. It is used to 

project lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by additional crop production in 

foreign countries. Specifically emissions associated with:

 Methane emissions per hectare of foreign rice production

12. Sorghum Results – 0% Wet DG

This spreadsheet integrates results from all stages of the fuel lifecycle to calculate grain sorghum 

ethanol lifecycle GHG emissions. The lifecycle GHG reductions are calculated as percent 

emissions reductions compared to a 2005 petroleum baseline, in this case gasoline. Results in 

this file assume 0% wet DG at the grain sorghum ethanol production process. 

13. Sorghum Results – 92% Wet DG

This spreadsheet integrates results from all stages of the fuel lifecycle to calculate grain sorghum 

ethanol lifecycle GHG emissions. The lifecycle GHG reductions are calculated as percent 

emissions reductions compared to a 2005 petroleum baseline, in this case gasoline. Results in 

this file assume 92% wet DG at the grain sorghum ethanol production process. 

14. Sorghum Results – 100% Wet DG

This spreadsheet integrates results from all stages of the fuel lifecycle to calculate grain sorghum 

ethanol lifecycle GHG emissions. The lifecycle GHG reductions are calculated as percent 

emissions reductions compared to a 2005 petroleum baseline, in this case gasoline. Results in 

this file assume 100% wet DG at the grain sorghum ethanol production process.