Renewable fuel standard
Subtitle: potential economic and environmental effects of U.S. biofuel policy
By: Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production, Board on Agricultural and Natural Resources, Division on Earth and Life Studes ; Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, National Research Council of the National Academies
Contributors: National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources; National Research Council (U.S.). Board on Energy and Environmental Systems
Publisher: National Academies Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 393
ISBN-13: 9780309187510
Subjects: Energy crops industry; Biomass energy industries; Renewable energy sources; Biomass energy; Energy policy; Standards
Description: "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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.

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