Chesapeake Bay Watershed states study cellulosic ethanol
September 8, 2008
BY Susanne Retka Schill
Web exclusive posted Sept. 11, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. CST
Cellulosic ethanol in the Chesapeake Bay region in the Northeastern United States, could provide a big boost for agriculture while helping improve water quality in the watershed, according to a panel that examined the potential for the region. The report titled, "Next Generation Biofuels: Taking the Policy Lead for the Nation" was released Sept. 4 at a one-day summit hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
"I firmly believe cellulosic ethanol could be to Pennsylvania and our neighboring states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed what corn-based ethanol has been to Iowa," Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell said at the summit. "Our region was blessed with many of the natural resources we need to develop these next generation alternative fuels. Cellulosic ethanol relies on feedstocks like wood chips and wood fibers, switchgrass, municipal waste and agricultural waste - all things that we have in abundance throughout the region.
Rendell said if managed properly, cellulosic feedstocks could be grown and cultivated in a better environmental way. "If we work together and follow the recommendations put forth in this report, we can see to it that the national movement towards next generation biofuels delivers the greatest economic potential to our region. That means more jobs, less of a dependence on foreign oil, cleaner water, and, ultimately, a stronger economy."
While acknowledging the political, environment and economic challenges faced by the corn-based ethanol industry, the report stresses the foundation laid by the first-generation biofuel. "The cumulative investments, research, skilled employees and infrastructure associated with corn ethanol production have created a solid platform for producing large quantities of home grown fuels that stimulate local economies and reduce our dependence of foreign oil."
The Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest estuary in the United States, lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's watershed covers more than 64,000 square miles in the District of Columbia and in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The report urges cooperation among the Chesapeake Bay states to influence federal policies and become leaders in developing second-generation biofuels. The 25-member panel of energy and environmental experts that wrote the report identified three major areas requiring action: feedstock development, natural resource protection and the development of infrastructure and markets. The report also makes a number of state-level policy recommendations.
To read the full report, visit the Chesapeake Bay Commission's Web site: http://www.chesbay.state.va.us/Publications/nexgen%20biofuels.pdf. Along with the analysis of the regional potential for biomass crops, the report also contains a summary of provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill and 2007 Energy Bill.
Cellulosic ethanol in the Chesapeake Bay region in the Northeastern United States, could provide a big boost for agriculture while helping improve water quality in the watershed, according to a panel that examined the potential for the region. The report titled, "Next Generation Biofuels: Taking the Policy Lead for the Nation" was released Sept. 4 at a one-day summit hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Commission and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
"I firmly believe cellulosic ethanol could be to Pennsylvania and our neighboring states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed what corn-based ethanol has been to Iowa," Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell said at the summit. "Our region was blessed with many of the natural resources we need to develop these next generation alternative fuels. Cellulosic ethanol relies on feedstocks like wood chips and wood fibers, switchgrass, municipal waste and agricultural waste - all things that we have in abundance throughout the region.
Rendell said if managed properly, cellulosic feedstocks could be grown and cultivated in a better environmental way. "If we work together and follow the recommendations put forth in this report, we can see to it that the national movement towards next generation biofuels delivers the greatest economic potential to our region. That means more jobs, less of a dependence on foreign oil, cleaner water, and, ultimately, a stronger economy."
While acknowledging the political, environment and economic challenges faced by the corn-based ethanol industry, the report stresses the foundation laid by the first-generation biofuel. "The cumulative investments, research, skilled employees and infrastructure associated with corn ethanol production have created a solid platform for producing large quantities of home grown fuels that stimulate local economies and reduce our dependence of foreign oil."
The Chesapeake Bay, which is the largest estuary in the United States, lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's watershed covers more than 64,000 square miles in the District of Columbia and in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The report urges cooperation among the Chesapeake Bay states to influence federal policies and become leaders in developing second-generation biofuels. The 25-member panel of energy and environmental experts that wrote the report identified three major areas requiring action: feedstock development, natural resource protection and the development of infrastructure and markets. The report also makes a number of state-level policy recommendations.
To read the full report, visit the Chesapeake Bay Commission's Web site: http://www.chesbay.state.va.us/Publications/nexgen%20biofuels.pdf. Along with the analysis of the regional potential for biomass crops, the report also contains a summary of provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill and 2007 Energy Bill.
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