1/3/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Attorney
General Motors has entered into a five-year partnership with DOE to help develop the jatropha plant into an oil that can be refined into biodiesel fuel. The plant is drought-resistant and non-edible. The goal of the project is to develop new plant varieties that have high yields, can withstand frost, and can be grown in temperate climates of the U.S. with minimal care on marginal land. Under the project, two jatropha farms will be established near a GM factory in India. If jatropha is commercially viable, it will reduce dependence on petroleum as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth. The program also reinforces GM India’s commitment to green technology and alternate fuel solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuel.
8/16/2010
by Bruce Goodman
One of three new federal bio-energy research hubs to work out the science of converting plant matter (other than corn) into fuel to replace gasoline is being funded through a five-year, $50 million federal grant. Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin will combine efforts to host the research center. The other two bio-energy research hubs will be at national laboratories that are part of the DOE. All the bioenergy centers will focus on turning common grasses, wood chips or other plant material into ethanol.
10/22/2009
by Bruce Goodman
Michigan Tech University has determined that camelina, a weed from the mustard family, can be used to make a jet biofuel that produces 80 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum jet fuel. Camelina has naturally high oil content, is drought tolerant, can be grown on marginal land, and requires less fertilizers and herbicides than food crops. It has been tested in a jet fuel blend comprised primarily of camelina by Japan Airlines. A 40,000 gallon order was recently placed on behalf of the U.S. Navy to be used in its testing program of alternative fuels to meet the goals of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Now the U.S. Air Force has contracted for 100,000 gallons of HRJ-8 for 2009-2010, most of which will be produced in Montana. If a sucessful fuel crop, and if grown on marginal land, this would be a good example of a biofuel that avoids the food or fuel question.
9/25/2009
by Bruce Goodman
The increase in corn prices brought about by the rush to corn ethanol production was a valuable lesson last year. Now with gasoline prices down, and many corn ethanol plants mothballed, there is time to consider the interplay of food crops and fuel crops. Targeting research and development efforts on crops that do not have much presence on dinner tables seems like a wise policy. Using corn, soybeans and other food crops for fuel instead of food does not seem to be a good idea. The potential for partial solutions such as camelina-based jet fuel and rutabagas for biodiesel are intriguing, but even these approaches have risks. Dedicating acreage to produce fuel crops means it is unavailable for food crops. So a second imperative would be to grow fuel crops on land that is less desirable—find crops that are drought resistant and require less fertilizer/herbicides. But despite noble policy pronouncements, in the end the marketplace will dictate what growers plant each spring.
