Robust production of domestic renewable biofuels is critically important for our energy security, economy, and environment. Advanced biofuels can be produced from a broad variety of feedstocks. 

Biofuels are any fuel obtained by the processing and conversion of biomass feedstocks. They are considered to be renewable energy sources and benefit from being biodegradable. Biomass can be converted into a wide variety of biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and other transportation fuels.

Biofuels support energy independence and national security

The United States currently imports the majority of its fuel in the form of oil, with much of it coming from countries supporting hostile policies and with shaky totalitarian regimes.  Switching to domestically produced fuels is vital to national security and the protection of the nation's energy supplies. Biofuels produced from locally grown feedstocks using advanced technology, provide a sustainable domestic alternative to foreign energy imports.

Renewable Fuel Standard

The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) was part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and sets annual requirements for the amount of renewable fuels produced and used in motor vehicles. Under the bill, the RFS requires 9 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2008 and progressively increases to a 36 billion gallon requirement by 2022. Beginning in 2016, an increasing portion of renewable fuels must be advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, starting at 3 billion gallons in 2016 and increasing to 21 billion gallons in 2022.

Carbon Cycle

Our over-use of fossil fuels continues to strain the environment by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during combustion. Fossil fuels come from carbon sources that have taken millions of years to form. When carbon dioxide from these fuels is released into the atmosphere during combustion, the carbon cycle becomes unbalanced and the C02 level rises, contributing to global warming.

On the other hand, energy from biofuels is part of the natural carbon cycle. Biofuels come from a living carbon source. When C02 emissions are released from biofuels, the carbon is absorbed back into the crop, maintaining a balance of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transportation fuels account for about one third of all green house gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. Any serious attempt at limiting global emissions will have to address the problems caused by the world's reliance on petroleum as the primary source of transportation fuel.

Biofuels offer the best currently available solution for fighting pollution from vehicles. There are nearly 200 million vehicles on the road in America and almost all of them can use a blend of ethanol or biodiesel.

Economy

The biofuel industry provides a significant contribution to the American economy by creating more jobs, increasing farmer market opportunities, lowering gas prices and expanding gasoline supplies which reduce the need for expensive imports.

Biofuels are the single largest contributor to the world oil supply growth. Without biofuels, oil prices would be even higher. According to Merrill Lynch, If biofuels producers stopped increasing their output, gas prices would be about 15% higher