The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday adjusted the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) upwards, requiring a greater portion of U.S. motor fuel to be drived from renewable sources in 2009.
Next year, 10.21% of motor fuel will be required to come from renewable sources–primarily ethanol–up from 7.76% this year. The U.S. total fuel needs are expected to be 138.5 billion gallons in 2009.
Under the RFS passed a year ago by Congress, the percentage will continue to rise through the year 2022, when 36 billion gallons will be required to come from renewable sources. But a heated debate has been underway for the last year as to how renewable ethanol fuel is.
Currently the majority of ethanol is derived from corn, which requires vast amounts of petroleum fertilizers, negatively impacts groundwater and puts a strain of food supplies.
Cellulosic ethanol–derived from non-food sources–is seen as the solution, but it will be a number of years before the technology is able to significantly contribute to the RFS.
Last week the biggest environmental groups joined together, urging the Environmental Protection Agency to account for the full lifecycle of biofuels in determining whether or not they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The New York Times yesterday published an editorial on the issue. Link below.
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