Posts

German government mulls limiting biofuel production

Image
 G ermany’s environment and agriculture ministries are reportedly working on restrictions for biofuel production so more grain can be used as human food as agriculture markets remain strained due to the war in Ukraine.  Together with Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir ,  Environment Minister Steffi Lemke is currently looking to reduce the production of biofuels made from grain or oilseeds ,  Lemke told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Friday  .  From her point of view ,  agricultural land should be used for food production instead of for the tank ,  she explained .  Lemke’s party colleague ,  Özdemir ,  recently expressed similar views on several occasions source: https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/german-government-mulls-limiting-biofuel-production/
11 comments
Read more

The US biofuel mandate helps farmers, but does little for energy security and harms the environment

Image
If you've been filling up at a gas station in the US for the past decade, you've already put biofuels in your tank. The Federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires nearly all gasoline sold nationwide to contain 10 percent ethanol—a fuel made from plant sources, mostly corn. Given the recent surge in oil prices, the biofuel lobby is pushing to raise that target to 15% or higher. Some politicians are now calling for reforms. For example, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators has proposed legislation to remove the corn ethanol portion of the mandate. Created in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, the RFS promises to improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and increase incomes in rural America. The program did make some agribusiness profitable, but in my opinion, it didn't deliver on other promises. In fact, research by some scientists, myself included, has shown that, to date, the use of biofuels has increased rather than decreased carbon dioxide emission...
5 comments
Read more