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Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress
Although most of the RFS is expected to be met using corn ethanol initially, over time the share
of advanced (non-corn-starch derived) biofuels in meeting the mandate increases. The RFS
specifies three non-corn-starch carve outs: cellulosic biofuels, biomass-based diesel fuel, and
other (or unspecified), which could potentially be met by imports of sugar-cane-based ethanol.
The RFS mandate for cellulosic biofuels begins at 100 million gallons per year in 2010 and rises
to 16 billion gallons per year in 2022 (Figure 1). This mandate represents a prodigious challenge
to the biofuels industry in light of the fact that no commercial production of cellulosic biofuels
yet exists in the United States.
Figure I. Renewable Fuel Standard Under EISA as of November 2009
40
3 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0 30
= 2 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
20 - - esel Cellulosic
. 15 -
10
5
0
Source: EISA, (P.L. 110-140, Section 202).
Notes: Corn-starch ethanol volume is a cap, whereas other categories are floors. Biodiesel includes any type of
biomass-based diesel substitute.
The RFS also mandates maximum lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for each type of biofuel.
Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions encompass emissions4 at all levels of production, from the
field to retail sale, including emissions resulting from land use changes, that is, the clearing of
forests for cropland due to increased energy crop production elsewhere. Under the law, GHG
emissions for cellulosic biofuels qualifying for the RFS are limited to 60% of the GHG emissions
from extracting, refining, distributing, and consuming gasoline.5
Challenges Facing the Industry
Cellulosic biofuels have potential, but there are significant hurdles to overcome before
competitiveness is reached. In his 2007 State of the Union Address, President Bush announced
the "Twenty in Ten" initiative, calling for the rapid expansion of renewable biofuels production as
4 Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (CO2, CH4, and N20 respectively).
s For more information on the lifecycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions under the RFS, see CRS Report R40460,
Calculation of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), by Brent D. Yacobucci
and Kelsi Bracmort.Congressional Research Service
2
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Bracmort, Kelsi; Schnepf, Randy; Stubbs, Megan & Yacobucci, Brent D. Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress, report, February 1, 2010; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc806727/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.