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America’s Energy Future
BioEnergy: Opportunities and Challenges
National Conference of State Legislatures
Jana Gastellum25x’25/Energy Future CoalitionDecember 9, 2008
America’s Energy Future
Outline
• Frame discussion• 25x’25 update• Challenges and Opportunities
– Biofuels– Sustainability– Woody biomass– Carbon
America’s Energy Future
ENERGYThe Linchpin of Our Economy
Fundamental to our prosperity
Contributes to our quality of life
Historically has been abundant and affordable
America’s Energy Future
Fossil based energy systems are not sustainable
World oil reserves are limited in supply and located in volatile parts of the world
Dependence on foreign oil is increasing
America’s Energy Future
Costs of oil, natural gas and electricity have skyrocketed, fallen back, but will likely escalate again
Emissions from burning of fossil fuels are impacting the environment
America’s Energy Future
By the year 2025, America’s farms, ranches and forests will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the U.S. while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber.
Our Vision:
25x’25
America’s Energy Future
25x’25 will:Create new marketsGenerate $700 billion in economic activity annuallyResult in 4-5 million new jobsReduce carbon dioxide emissions by one billion tons annually
All for only an investment equal to 5% of what America spent on imported oil in 2006.
America’s Energy Future
Over 750 partners including:- National Corn Growers Association
- American farm Bureau Federation
- Forest Landowners Association
- Deere & Company
- Ford, Chrysler and GM
- American Wind Energy Association
- National Wildlife Federation
- Environmental Defense Fund
America’s Energy Future
Passed by Congress as part of HR6
Signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007
25x’25 is now a national renewable energy goal!
America’s Energy Future
30 Governor Endorsements
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14 State Legislature Endorsements
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40 State Alliances
Active AlliancesForming AlliancesAlliance Planning Underway
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National RecommendationsRenewable Fuels
•Accelerate Production
• Biorefineries: loan guarantees, grants, risk reduction mechanisms
• Conversion technologies: increase RDD&D
• Energy crop: pilot transition program
•Expand Infrastructure
• Assess needs: Inter-agency study
• E85 expansion: tax credits, grants for corridors
•Market Building
• Reverse auction
• Increase flex-fuel/hybrid vehicles
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State Alliance Priorities• Secure New Governor Endorsements• Pass State 25x’25 Legislative Resolution• Develop State 25x’25 Action Plan• Support National Energy Plan Objectives• Develop Information/Education Outreach
Programs• Assess Renewable Energy Strengths and
Economic Benefits• Integrate Climate Change Objectives• Record and Track Progress towards meeting the
25x’25 Goal
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State Activities
The 25x’25 goal is certainly achievable, but will require cooperation and a collaborative effort among many diverse stakeholders – state leaders, policy makers, advocacy groups, the agricultural community, commercial energy developers, financial institutions, and the public.
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State Activities (cont.)
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Critical Challenges & Opportunities• Biofuel pushback• Sustainability issues• Woody biomass contributions• Role of agriculture and forestry in a
reduced carbon economy
America’s Energy Future
Biofuels• RFS: Will the 1B gallons of cellulosic biofuels
goal be met? (CRS report)• Budget crisis: Incentives, R&D• Blend wall• Infrastructure
– Distribution, vehicles• Continuing food price debate• Fluctuating oil prices
• 25x’25 can’t meet its goal without cellulosic fuels.
America’s Energy Future
Sustainability
• Sustainability Criteria– Water– Energy– Habitat
• International Processes– Global BioEnergy Partnership (G8)– Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels
• EPA GHG accounting
America’s Energy Future
Woody Biomass• Definition of “Renewable Biomass”
– Implications for RFS (EISA 2007)• Sustainability issues
– SFI and FSC revising criteria– Woody Biomass Harvest Guidelines, Minnesota
Forest Resources Council, January 2008 • Feedstock/End use competition
• Work Group: stakeholder meetings for consensusrecommendations
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Carbon
• New market – Legislative
uncertainty• Biochar as a new
opportunity?
• Work Group:– Capacity building– Recommendations
Source: Point Carbon, Business Opportunities in the Carbon Market, Nov. 11, 2008
America’s Energy Future
Please Join Us in shaping our Nation’s Energy Future
www.25x25.org
America’s Energy Future