Alternative Transportation Fuels Part 3: Biofuels
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing to examine the economic, energy security, climate, and other environmental issues associated with biofuels-liquid fuels derived from plant, animal, or other organic matter (biomass). Expanded biofuels production in the United States and abroad presents several questions regarding the appropriate scale, direction, and regulation of biofuels development. This briefing will discuss the current state of biofuels technologies in order to better understand the full range of potential benefits, costs, and impacts associated with these fuels. Speakers for this event include:
- Lawrence Russo, Technology Manager, Biomass Program, U.S. Department of Energy
- Jennifer Holmgren, PhD, General Manager, Renewable Energy Division, Universal Oil Products
- Gerald Nelson, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
- William Harrison, Technical Advisor for Fuels and Energy, United States Air Force
- Richard Altman, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuel Initiative
Biofuels can be produced through a number of different processes using a variety of input materials or “feedstocks” and yielding different types of fuel products. This briefing will explore the intersection of technology, feedstock, and end-use issues and the implications of different pathways of biofuel production on fuel costs, agricultural resources, energy security, and greenhouse gas reduction. Key questions this briefing will address include:
- How are different types of biofuels produced?
- What are the different classes of feedstocks that can be processed into biofuels?
- What economic, technical, and environmental factors are driving or limiting biofuel development?
- What are the energy security and national security considerations associated with biofuels?
- What are the impacts of different biofuels on greenhouse gas emissions?
- How should federal policy weigh different costs, benefits, and impacts associated with biofuels production?
This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Jan Mueller at (202) 662-1883 or [email protected].
This briefing is the third in a series on alternative transportation fuels. Previous briefings focused on liquid coal and tar sands and oil shale. The next briefing will focus on electricity, with details posted at www.eesi.org/briefings as they become available.