The use of biofuel is not without controversy. Although from an emissions perspective, biofuel is cleaner, many argue that using crops to create fuel is only going to hurt in the end. Sierra Club and the Worldwatch Institute have released a new report looking at biofuel production – Smart Choices for Biofuels.

“The report outlines the economic and environmental impacts of first-generation biofuels such as corn ethanol, proposes strategies to make the biofuels industry more sustainable, and offers specific policy recommendations in four broad categories:

* Developing sustainability standards
* Advancing biofuels production and new technologies
* Creating green jobs through biofuels
* Promoting policy coherence across energy sectors”
Source: Sierra Club

The Sierra Club press release goes on to say that in 2008, there were more than 9 billion gallons of biofuel produced in the United States and the majority of it was corn ethanol. There is currently a mandate in place (from the U.S. Congress) that states the U.S. must use 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022.

However, it is important that this mandate be reached through a process that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than today’s biofuel production process.

The entire report is available on the Worldwatch Institute website – Smart Choices for Biofuels.

Photo by konspence

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