Are you sick of hearing about it yet? Is it really a solution?
With oil almost gone, biodiesel has been making quiet, steady progress as a viable alternative transportation fuel. Biodiesel can burn safely in any diesel engine, making it an attractive option as US car makers begin to introduce hybrid diesel models.
A new USDA/DOE report claims that the US can sustainably produce enough biodiesel to replace 30% of the nation's current petroleum consumption. This total includes crop waste (cornstalks), grains...
perennial crops (grasses, etc.), animal manure, process residues, and miscellaneous other feedstocks. The report projects that by 2010, biofuels could supply 4% of US transportation fuel needs up from 0.5% in 2001. By 2030, that could reach 30%. If true, this could make a significant dent in US oil imports. Now is a good time to ask local farmers and pressure state ag agencies about Midwest prospects in the nation's energy future.
Biomass recently surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy — currently serving about 3% of US total energy consumption. Also, biomass represents the only existing renewable source of liquid transportation fuel.
The largest US biodiesel plant is currently being built by a German company in Minot, ND, and should be completed by December 2006.
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