Write your abstract here.The first section,
beginning on page 7, presents the current state
of play in the U.S.
biofuels
marketplace and then offers detailed
legislative proposals to further boost the burgeoning alternative fuels
industry. The purpose: Rapidly and deliberately develop the next
generation of advanced cellosic biofuels by:
Targeting “green payments” to farmers for performing environmental
services on their working lands, including growing dedicated energy
crops, while decreasing our reliance on commodity-based direct payment
subsidies.Rewarding farmers for agricultural practices that combat climate change.Increasing funds in the new farm bill for existing renewable energy programs.Encouraging farmer-owned-and-operated biorefineries and local-owned biofuel plant cooperatives.The
second section,
beginning on page 12, analyzes in greater detail the
advantages and some of the safeguards required in order to bring
dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, jatropha, and
poplar to market as biofuels and bioproducts. The incredible potential
of these dedicated energy crops to supplement and diversify our energy
production, increase rural revenues, and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions could allow the United States to substitute 25 percent of our
petroleum energy needs with cellulosic biofuels, generate $700 billion
of new economic activity on our rural communities and earn farmers $180
billion in new net income within two decades. To get there, detailed
policy suggestions include: