Report sees need for 500 additional biofuels plants

[Ed Barrow]

Source: Des Moines Register

More than 500 new biorefineries will be needed around the country to meet the nation's goal of tripling biofuel consumption by 2022, according to a government study.

The Agriculture Department estimates in the report that the plants would cost about $168 billion, a price tag the USDA termed "substantial."

...

A 2007 law required that refiners use 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, with all but 15 billion gallons coming from sources other than corn. Meeting that target will require building facilities that can convert a wide range of new biofuel feedstocks, including crop residue, forest thinnings, municipal waste, perennial grasses and other sources of cellulose. The industry is expected to easily reach 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol production by 2015.

"The bottom line here is that we need to make a commitment to this industry," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.



Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100624/BUSINESS01/6240343/1001/NEWS/Report-sees-need-for-500-additional-biofuels-plants

[Francisco]

1. $168 Billion?

take it from the defense budget.

[Chemical Bill]

2. +1

[Psephos]

3. Using corn as a fuel is not green, not profitable, and not efficient.

But it does make Senators from farm belt states drool.