The Sierra Club and World Watch
Institute have recently joined forces in promoting biofuel as a means of
reducing our dependence on fossil fuel, so if you have any interest in the
subject, by all means go to www.worldwatch.org/smartchoicesforbiofuels.
Before you do, however, read what Jim Stewart, chairman of Los Angeles–based
BioEnergy Producers Association, has to say.
The Sierra Club and Worldwatch
Institute have taken a strong position advocating the rapid introduction of
“advanced biofuels,” and their report entitled “Smart Choices for Biofuels”
clearly includes thermochemical technologies in that definition.
Further, the report,
published in January, specifically identifies advanced biofuel feedstocks as
including “the organic material found in urban waste.”
Sidebar 3 on Page 7
of the report states:
“In the
thermochemical platform, heat, pressure, chemical catalysts, and water are used
to break down biomass in much the same way that petroleum is refined.
Thermochemical technologies include gasification, fast pyrolysis, and
hydrothermic processing. These technologies can be used to convert almost any
kind of biomass into fuel, from grass to turkey feathers, giving them a
potential advantage over biochemical technologies that rely on developing
specific enzymes to break down specific plant matter.”
Here are several
other excerpts from the report:
“Despite ambitious
government mandates and strong financial support for the biofuels industry,
so-called “first-generation” biofuels have raised a variety of economic, social,
and environmental concerns. New information points to the urgent need for a
major shift to more advanced biofuels to prevent negative effects on the
climate, land, soil, water, air, and rural economies.”
“Nearly all studies
on the role of biofuels in mitigating global warming and boosting energy
security have concluded that ‘second-generation’ (or ‘advanced’) biofuels, which
rely on non-food feedstocks and offer dramatically improved energy and
greenhouse gas profiles, are necessary to make wider use of biofuels feasible
worldwide.”
“Cellulosic and other
advanced biofuels have a better fossil energy balance than do first-generation
biofuels; that is, the amount of fossil energy required to make the fuel is much
lower relative to the amount of energy gained in return, which can significantly
lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.”
One of the report's
major policy recommendations is to: “Re-examine the renewable energy portfolio
balance to bring on cellulosic and other advanced biofuels faster and to promote
biomass use for electricity generation and heat.”
The BioEnergy
Producers Association is making rapid strides in the introduction and
advancement of its new legislation, AB 222, which revises statute and will
encourage the introduction of these new technologies in California. Jointly
authored by Fiona Ma and Anthony Adams and with meaningful co-sponsorship. The
bill is currently a “spot bill,” and its specific language will be published
within the next week to 10 days.