| Background Information on Biofuels: Ethanol Production in the United States |
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bridges vol. 17, April 2008 / Feature Articles by Sylvia Nedbal 
Ford Hydrogen Fusion 999, Washington DC Auto Show, 2008: The show's focus was on alternatives to gasoline
These concerns are particularly acute in the United States. In 2006, the transportation sector accounted for 28.5 percent of the total energy use. High energy prices and increasing dependency on oil imports forced President Bush, known for his strong ties to the oil lobby, to rethink America's energy policy. The administration's silver bullet for the problem seems to be "biofuel," which is said to have the potential to address not only energy security and oil independency, but also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Over the past months, biofuels have received a lot of attention. They are in the media spotlight, hailed by some as "the" alternative fuel of the 21st century, condemned by others for not being "bio" at all, while blaming politicians for the creation of a biofuel bubble. What are biofuels? Biofuels, also called agrifuels, can be defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel derived from plant or animal materials (biomass). In the current discussion, biofuels are often grouped into so-called 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation biofuels (UN report, p.6, http://esa.un.org/un-energy/pdf/susdev.Biofuels.FAO.pdf) . Access to the full article is free, but requires you to register. Registration is simple and quick – all we need is your name and a valid e-mail address. We appreciate your interest in bridges. |
