Biofuel Energy, January 2012-There’s a New Biofuel Crop in Town Work by Agricultural Research Service scientists in Florence, South Carolina, suggests that farmers in the Southeast could use the tropical legume sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) in their crop rotations by harvesting the fast-growing annual for biofuel. In 2004, when there was ample rainfall, the resulting sunn hemp biomass yield exceeded 4.5 tons per acre. This is equivalent to 82.4 gigajoules of energy per acre—close to the energy contained in 620 gallons of gasoline and well in the ballpark of other bioenergy crops, which have yields of anywhere from 30 to 150 gigajoules per acre. The higher heating value of sunn hemp biomass exceeded that of switchgrass, Bermudagrass, reed canarygrass, and alfalfa. And although reduced rainfall resulted in lower hemp biomass yields in 2006, sunn hemp’s higher heating value for both study years was 4 to 5 percent greater than that of cowpea.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query biomass. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query biomass. Sort by date Show all posts
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Monday, November 28, 2016
Hemp Biomass Pellets Save Trees
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| Hemp Supplies Clean Burning Biomass Energy |
Hemp also grows faster than trees and makes superb clean energy biomass energy pellets.
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| MOhemp will sell clean energy hemp biomass
and is seeking Clean Energy Investors and can meet the EU prices
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| Here is an image of the estimated projected $$$ for the Wood Pellet Market. Orange Arrows and Notation by scotty |
Wood Pellet Image Source: http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/13796/futuremetrics-offers-wood-pellet-demand-spot-pricing-estimates
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
ROI Bridgeton Landfill Phytoremediation Proposal
MOhemp Energy- Hemp for Income and Phytoremediation of the Bridgeton Landfill will utilize the Industrial Hemp plants abilities to neutralize the heavy metals absorbed by the root system of the hemp plant.
The Biomass of the Industrial Hemp plant grown on the toxic soil will finance the endeavor.
In many studies done by the division of ag, biofuel industry, renewable energy industry professionals all tout Hemp and its ability to produce valuable pollution free biomass energy options.
Biomass is a broad term that includes many forms of energy. In the the case with the Hemp Plant grown on the site of the nuclear radiation and heavy metals, many studies have been done and listed the biodiesel as an end product to the seeds is a cost effective way to offset the investment costs of hemp production.
MOhemp Proposes-not only will the seeds be used for biodiesel as an end product- the additional biomass resource from the fibers, bast, and hurd of the hemp plant can also be combined into a sustainable biomass fuel source-that burns hotter and cleaner than traditional energy sources.
The Biomass of the Industrial Hemp plant grown on the toxic soil will finance the endeavor.
- $100,000 loan divided by $80/ton (market determined) equals= 1,250 Tons.
- 1250 Tons divided by 5 years = 250 Tons per year.
- 250 Tons divided by 9 tons per acre= 27.77 acres.
Lets don't forget to factor in the Renewable Energy Tax Credits, Renewable Fuel Tax Credits, Government Backed RFS low interest loan options for Lenders, Alternative Farming Loan Guaranty, Department of Agriculture 9003 renewable fuel grants, Department of Energy Small.....
Friday, June 26, 2015
Biomass and Biofuel Your Future Energy Sources
While you are reading the following information remember that Industrial Hemp has the greatest potential of any of the oilseed cro]'ps for Biodiesel Production and the remaining part of the plant can be used in the Biomass Industry. Scotty
3 Reasons and WHY IT MATTERS
The creation of a robust, next-generation domestic bioenergy industry is one of the important pathways for providing Americans with sustainable, renewable energy alternatives. Imagine, for example, a transportation fuel made from an energy crop that can grow on marginal lands unsuitable for producing food, or even from municipal waste or algae. Such fuels could go directly into your car's gas tank, warm your house, or help power an airplane. With research and development to produce these fuels sustainably and affordably, we can provide home-grown alternatives for a transportation sector that is so heavily dependent on oil. These efforts also support the goal of the Renewable Fuel Standard included in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 of producing 21 billion gallons per year of advanced renewable transportation fuels by 2022 and increasing biopower generating capacity. Through our efforts to replace the whole barrel of oil with biobased products, we're helping the United States move toward a more secure, sustainable, and economically sound future.
- Promoting national security through developing domestic sources of energy
The United States spends nearly $1 billion a day on imported oil,1 and petroleum-related products accounted for more than half of the nearly $498 billion U.S. trade deficit in 2010.2 U.S. biofuels can improve this balance by decreasing imports—ethanol alone displaces about $20.9 billion worth of imported gasoline annually. Reducing dependence on foreign oil requires developing technologies to replace gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, heavy distillates, and a range of biobased chemicals and products. In 2011, the Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding Between The Department Of The Navy And The Department of Energy And the Department of Agriculture with the Departments of the Navy and Agricultural to advance research into military applications of advanced biofuels.
- Growing a sustainable future with renewable biomass resources
An expanding bioenergy industry must be sustainable, and we are addressing environmental, social, and economic issues along the entire bioenergy supply chain. Our analytical tools and data help support decision making across a range of biofuels scenarios; focus research on pathways with the best potential for commercialization; and demonstrate progress toward goals. Through field- and laboratory-based research, computer modeling, and advanced analysis, the Office investigates the life-cycle impacts of bioenergy production on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air, improved soil quality, enhanced water quality, biodiversity, and the use of marginal croplands. The Energy Department's 2011 U.S. Billion-Ton Update documented the magnitude of the resource potential across the contiguous United States.
- Generating green jobs by stimulating a bioenergy economy
The reduction in petroleum imports and increase in domestic, renewable biomass use will help keep jobs in this country. Employment in the U.S. biofuels industry has grown by 8.9% annually since 2004 and represents 20,680 direct jobs (and tens of thousands of indirect jobs) today and is expected to continue growth.3 A resilient bioenergy industry will be the source of a variety of jobs across several sectors—from plant breeding, farming, and the use of energy-efficient railroads to biochemical engineering and microbiology. Bioenergy jobs also help to stimulate the U.S. economy; a study by Brookings Institute estimated that every job in the biofuels sector generates a significantly greater value of exports than the average U.S. job.
1. Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.gov/
2. U.S. Census, U.S. Oil Imports
3. Brookings-Battelle Clean Economy Database,http://www.brookings.edu/about/programs/metro/clean-economy
2. U.S. Census, U.S. Oil Imports
3. Brookings-Battelle Clean Economy Database,http://www.brookings.edu/about/programs/metro/clean-economy
The above information was copied in full from the Department of Energy's Blog. Reminder: Industrial Hemp has the greatest potential of any of the oilseed crops for Biodiesel Production and the remaining part of the plant can be used in the Biomass Industry. Scotty
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Comment period opens on EPA’s ACE rule @BiomassMagazine
Sure seems like the @EPA is doing everything it can to keep the Dirty Coal industry afloat.
Notice: Cofiring Biomass with coal barely gets a mention.
Here's what everyone is missing and how Hemp could help (proven by science I've shared previously). Here's the short version: when Hemp Lignin is removed from the stalk of a hemp plant and sprayed on dirty coal before the combustion chamber (cofiring). The lignin increases the BTU output of the dirty coal. This increased heat burns so hot- the harmful coal emissions are eliminated without any upgrades or smokestack scrubbers.
In a nutshell this would not only save electricity buyers money, because we won't be passed along the $millions$ needed for smokestack upgrades. It would also help the Farmers, in turn helping the local community all over the USA instead of just the coal producing states.
The U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to create the Affordable Clean Energy Program (ACE rule) in the Federal Register on Aug. 31, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.
On Aug. 21, the EPA released a prepublication version of the ACE rule, which aims to establish emissions guidelines for states to develop plans to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from existing coal-fired power plants. The ACE rule would replace the Clean Power Plan, which the EPA proposed to repeal last year.
Information released by EPA indicates one major difference between the CPP and the ACE rule is that the CPP promoted disinvestment in coal in favor of renewables and natural gas, and relied on fuel switching. Alternatively, the ACE rule promotes investments to make coal plans cleaner and more efficient and does not promote fuel switching.
According to the EPA, the ACE rule defines the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for existing power plants as on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements. It also provides states with a list of candidate technologies that can be used to establish standards of performance and be incorporated into their state plans. In addition, ACE updates the new source review (NSR) permitting program to further encourage efficiency improvements at existing power plants and gives states time and flexibility to develop their state plans.
The ACE rule also briefly addresses biomass. While the proposal does not include cofiring as BSER, the agency does propose that biomass cofiring be allowed as a compliance option that states may consider. The rule also references an April 23 April 23 policy announcement by the EPA in which the agency said biomass from managed forests will be treated as carbon neutral when used for energy production at stationary sources.
The public comment period on the ACE rule closes Oct. 30. Comments can be filed online at www.Regulations.gov under EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355.
Comment period opens on EPA’s ACE rule @BiomassMagazine: The U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to create the Affordable Clean Energy Program (ACE rule) in the Federal Register on Aug. 31, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.
Notice: Cofiring Biomass with coal barely gets a mention.
Here's what everyone is missing and how Hemp could help (proven by science I've shared previously). Here's the short version: when Hemp Lignin is removed from the stalk of a hemp plant and sprayed on dirty coal before the combustion chamber (cofiring). The lignin increases the BTU output of the dirty coal. This increased heat burns so hot- the harmful coal emissions are eliminated without any upgrades or smokestack scrubbers.
In a nutshell this would not only save electricity buyers money, because we won't be passed along the $millions$ needed for smokestack upgrades. It would also help the Farmers, in turn helping the local community all over the USA instead of just the coal producing states.
The U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to create the Affordable Clean Energy Program (ACE rule) in the Federal Register on Aug. 31, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.
On Aug. 21, the EPA released a prepublication version of the ACE rule, which aims to establish emissions guidelines for states to develop plans to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from existing coal-fired power plants. The ACE rule would replace the Clean Power Plan, which the EPA proposed to repeal last year.
Information released by EPA indicates one major difference between the CPP and the ACE rule is that the CPP promoted disinvestment in coal in favor of renewables and natural gas, and relied on fuel switching. Alternatively, the ACE rule promotes investments to make coal plans cleaner and more efficient and does not promote fuel switching.
According to the EPA, the ACE rule defines the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for existing power plants as on-site, heat-rate efficiency improvements. It also provides states with a list of candidate technologies that can be used to establish standards of performance and be incorporated into their state plans. In addition, ACE updates the new source review (NSR) permitting program to further encourage efficiency improvements at existing power plants and gives states time and flexibility to develop their state plans.
The ACE rule also briefly addresses biomass. While the proposal does not include cofiring as BSER, the agency does propose that biomass cofiring be allowed as a compliance option that states may consider. The rule also references an April 23 April 23 policy announcement by the EPA in which the agency said biomass from managed forests will be treated as carbon neutral when used for energy production at stationary sources.
The public comment period on the ACE rule closes Oct. 30. Comments can be filed online at www.Regulations.gov under EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355.
Comment period opens on EPA’s ACE rule @BiomassMagazine: The U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to create the Affordable Clean Energy Program (ACE rule) in the Federal Register on Aug. 31, officially opening a 60-day public comment period on the proposal.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
MOhemp Energy Introduction Page 1
Slide 1: Introduction see:mohemp.blogspot.com/2015/06/mohemp…
Missouri Industrial Hemp
Startup Business that provides: Biomass Energy - Livestock Feedstock - Non Polluting Biodiesel - Energy Conserving Building Materials that are grown, harvested, and processed on Missouri Farms
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| Hemp Fiber Biomass Pellets-MOhemp Energy |
upcoming post: What is Industrial Hemp? Page 2
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| Hemp Seed Image Alibaba |
Page Description
Title Page
Monday, June 1, 2015
Stonehedge Bio-Resources to build hemp processing facility | Biomassmagazine.com
Stonehedge Bio-Resources to build hemp processing facility | Biomassmagazine.com
Stonehedge Bio-Resources to build hemp processing facility
By Bryan Sims

Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. is using hemp to produce this replacement to pink fiberglass insulation./PHOTO: STONEHEDGE BIO-RESOURCES INC.
Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. is looking to convert hemp into a viable biomass energy crop. In January, the Ontario-based company received $2 million from U.K. investors to construct an industrial hemp processing facility in Northumberland County, Ontario.
According to John Baker, founder and chairman of Stonehedge Bio-Resources, the company has been involved in the plant genetics and breeding of various hemp species for more than a decade, and has been commercializing the crop for myriad industrial uses for the past three years. "We have found that hemp has multiple uses as a biomass crop," he said. "It can also sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions."
Baker anticipates breaking ground for the facility in April or May. Commissioning and start-up could begin within 12 to 15 months after that. The plant may employ up to 27 people within the next two years, he added.
Hemp straw would be sourced from an area of 15,000 to 20,000 acres within a 60-mile radius of the processing facility. The company's equipment would be capable of processing approximately seven dry tons per hour, depending on the amount of shifts and downtime needed during its first year of operation. "We are aiming at an output of about 40,000 to 50,000 tons of hemp derived from 17,000 acres in our first year of operation, but it will take time to ramp up," Baker said.
According to Baker, hemp is a desirable biomass feedstock due to its variety of applications in different industries. It could serve as a replacement for pink fiberglass insulation in houses; it could be used to produce "hemcrete," a biobased masonry composite containing hemp and concrete; and it could be a biodegradable and recyclable fiber-based composite in automobile door panels.
Baker said the company will initially market hemp in Canada as a pelletized fuel that could be implemented at coal-fired plants looking to reduce their carbon footprints.
Stonehedge Bio-Resources may also look into hemp as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock due to the plant's inherently high cellulosic value.
Stonehedge Bio-Resources to build hemp processing facility
By Bryan Sims

Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. is using hemp to produce this replacement to pink fiberglass insulation./PHOTO: STONEHEDGE BIO-RESOURCES INC.
Stonehedge Bio-Resources Inc. is looking to convert hemp into a viable biomass energy crop. In January, the Ontario-based company received $2 million from U.K. investors to construct an industrial hemp processing facility in Northumberland County, Ontario.
According to John Baker, founder and chairman of Stonehedge Bio-Resources, the company has been involved in the plant genetics and breeding of various hemp species for more than a decade, and has been commercializing the crop for myriad industrial uses for the past three years. "We have found that hemp has multiple uses as a biomass crop," he said. "It can also sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions."
Baker anticipates breaking ground for the facility in April or May. Commissioning and start-up could begin within 12 to 15 months after that. The plant may employ up to 27 people within the next two years, he added.
Hemp straw would be sourced from an area of 15,000 to 20,000 acres within a 60-mile radius of the processing facility. The company's equipment would be capable of processing approximately seven dry tons per hour, depending on the amount of shifts and downtime needed during its first year of operation. "We are aiming at an output of about 40,000 to 50,000 tons of hemp derived from 17,000 acres in our first year of operation, but it will take time to ramp up," Baker said.
According to Baker, hemp is a desirable biomass feedstock due to its variety of applications in different industries. It could serve as a replacement for pink fiberglass insulation in houses; it could be used to produce "hemcrete," a biobased masonry composite containing hemp and concrete; and it could be a biodegradable and recyclable fiber-based composite in automobile door panels.
Baker said the company will initially market hemp in Canada as a pelletized fuel that could be implemented at coal-fired plants looking to reduce their carbon footprints.
Stonehedge Bio-Resources may also look into hemp as a cellulosic ethanol feedstock due to the plant's inherently high cellulosic value.
Monday, June 29, 2015
IndustrialHemp Methane Energy Yield Harvest Times
Article
Anaerobic digestion of industrial hemp–Effect of harvest time on methane energy yield per hectare
Biomass and Bioenergy (Impact Factor: 3.41). 02/2011; 35(2):893-900. DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.11.005
Anaerobic digestion of industrial hemp–Effect of harvest time on methane energy yield per hectare (PDF Download Available). Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/251628713_Anaerobic_digestion_of_industrial_hempEffect_of_harvest_time_on_methane_energy_yield_per_hectare [accessed Jun 29, 2015].
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Hemp: A Source Biomass Antibacterial Fibers
Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules
Plant lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant renewable resource, which can provide biopolymers, fibers, chemicals and energy (Guerriero et al., 2014, 2015, 2016).
Trees are important for the provision of wood, however, also fast-growing herbaceous species, like textile hemp (which has a THC content <0.3%; Weiblen et al., 2015), can provide high biomass quantities in a short time. The stem of this fiber crop supplies both cellulosic and woody fibers: the core is indeed lignified, while the cortex harbors long cellulose-rich fibers, known as bast fibers (Figure 1) (Guerriero et al., 2013).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1. Anatomical details of Cannabis stem. (A) Stem of an adult plant (ca 2 months); (B) The stem can be peeled off and shows a lignified core and a cortex with bast fibers. (C) Longitudinal section of hemp stem stained with toluidine blue
showing the cortex with a bundle of bast-fibers (white asterisk) and the core with xylem vessels (black asterisk).
This heterogeneous cell wall composition makes hemp stem an interesting model to study secondary cell wall biosynthesis, in particular the molecular events underlying the deposition of cortical gelatinous bast fibers and core woody fibers.
Cannabis woody fibers (a.k.a “hurds” or “shivs”) are used for animal bedding because of their high absorption capacity and for the creation of a concrete-like material.
Hemp bast fibers are used in the biocomposite sector as a substitute of glass fibers. The automotive industry is particularly keen on using hemp bast fibers to produce bioplastics: this material is stronger than polypropylene plastic and lighter in weight (Marsh, 2003).
Beyond the applications in the construction and automotive industries, hemp fibers are attractive also in the light of their natural antibacterial property. Hemp bast fibers have been indeed described as antibacterial (Hao et al., 2014; Khan et al., 2015) and their use for the manufacture of an antibacterial finishing agent (Bao et al., 2014), surgical devices (Gu, 2006) or functionalized textiles (Cassano et al., 2013) has been reported. This property is linked to the chemical composition of hemp bast fibers: both free and esterified sterols and triterpenes have been identified, among which β-sitosterol and β-amyrin (Gutiérrez and del RÃo, 2005). These compounds possess known antibacterial properties (Kiprono et al., 2000; Ibrahim, 2012). Hemp bast fibers were also found to contain cannabinoids (2% of the total metabolite extract) (Bouloc et al., 2013 and references therein). More recently hemp hurd powder showed antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (Khan et al., 2015). Since the hurd has a higher lignin content than the bast fibers, its antibacterial property may be linked to lignin-related compounds such phenolic compounds, as well as alkaloids and cannabinoids (Appendino et al., 2008; Khan et al., 2015).
Hemp Stem: A Source of Fibers with Antibacterial Properties
Christelle M. Andre*, 
Jean-Francois Hausman and 
Gea Guerriero
- Environmental Research and Innovation, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
MOhemp: Report: Italian wood pellet consumption expected t...
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| MoHemp Energy Biomass Hemp Pellets, Hemp Logs, Hemp Bricks, |
Article Takeaways:
- Italy currently consumes approximately 3 million metric tons of wood pellets annually.
- Domestic Use accounts for all but 4% of the Pellet Market
- 85% of Italys biomass pellets are imported
- 2016 1.66 M metric tons imported from Austria, Croatia, German, Slovenia, France, and Czech Republic
- Majority purchased in retail settings by the bag
- 6% of the sales were made online
- only 20,000 metric tons used bulk transport
- 2015 62,710 tons from Canada
- 2014 85,349 tons from Canada
- 5 Million Metric Tons increased by 2020
Source: MOhemp: Report: Italian wood pellet consumption expected t...:
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Hearing focuses on Farm Bill rural development, energy programs @BiomassMagazine
Hearing focuses on Farm Bill rural development, energy programs @BiomassMagazine: On Sept. 28, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on the 2018 Farm Bill focused on rural development and energy programs. The committee has now held nine hearings this year focused on Farm Bill development.
“Today’s hearing marks this committee’s ninth hearing this year dedicated to listening to our stakeholders from around the country on how our authorized programs are currently working, or need improvement, as we work towards Farm Bill reauthorization during this Congress,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., who serves as chairman of the committee. “This includes taking a look at spending requests and proposals for the 39 programs in the Farm Bill that do not have budget baseline.”
Thank You for stopping by the Green Blog. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know by posting a question or comment. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone.
“Today’s hearing marks this committee’s ninth hearing this year dedicated to listening to our stakeholders from around the country on how our authorized programs are currently working, or need improvement, as we work towards Farm Bill reauthorization during this Congress,” said Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., who serves as chairman of the committee. “This includes taking a look at spending requests and proposals for the 39 programs in the Farm Bill that do not have budget baseline.”
“While it is a principal duty of this committee to ensure the next Farm Bill provides our nation’s agricultural producers with the necessary tools and resources to feed a growing and hungry world, our responsibilities, and the role of USDA, do not stop there, “ he said. “It is also critical the next Farm Bill works to support rural businesses, cooperatives, health clinics, schools, renewable energy and biobased product manufacturers, and other essential services providers that serve as the backbone of the communities our farmers and ranchers call home.”
In her opening statement, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., called the Farm Bill a jobs bill. “The rural development and energy titles that we’re discussing today have a wealth of opportunities to provide a bright future for rural America,” she said.
“In Michigan, agriculture and manufacturing are at the heart of our economy,” Stabenow added. “We don’t have a middle class unless we make things and grow things. That’s why we created opportunities in the last Farm Bill to support biobased manufacturing. Instead of using petroleum, companies are creating new products from American-grown crops. The economic benefit is twofold: new markets for our farmers, and new jobs and manufacturing opportunities for our businesses.”
“Additionally, the Farm Bill invests in renewable energy, which also leads to job creation, she continued. “According to a new report, there are now 92,000 clean energy jobs in Michigan alone. The popular Rural Energy for America Program – known as REAP – helps producers and businesses lower their utility bills through installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency upgrades. Innovations in advanced biofuels are helping us to become more energy independent and pay less at the pump.”
“It’s clear the opportunities we created in the 2014 Farm Bill are helping our small towns and rural communities create jobs and support communities where parents want to raise their children,” Stabenow said. “As we begin work on the next bill, I look forward to building on that progress to help rural America reach its full potential.”
Brent Shanks, director of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals at Iowa State University, was among those to offer testimony at the hearing.
In his testimony, Shanks said the current federal strategy for advanced biofuels could be enhanced by further decoupling the risks between technology, market and infrastructure inherent in completely new biorefineries. He said this approach would allow for progress to be made toward the overall goal while having important intermediate successes along the way.
According to Shanks, the previous two Farm Bills has included an increased discussion of the importance of incorporating renewable chemicals and biobased products for advanced biofuel production. The strategy has largely been positioned around the idea of higher-value renewable chemicals and biobased products subsidizing lower-value advanced biofuel production. “While achieving such a strategy would be a wonderful outcome, it actually increases the amount of overall technological risk because both advanced biofuel and renewable chemical technology would need to be developed in concert with one another,” said Shanks in his written testimony. “An alternative would be to also consider technology development with a near term focus on renewable chemicals that could be leveraged to technological needs for advanced biofuels.”
Shanks also noted that market viability risk mitigation needs to address the uncertainty of crude oil and natural gas pricing, which would require biomass-derived products to have valuations that are less tightly correlated to this pricing. “The best market-based approach for diminishing the correlation is to have biomass-derived products that are different from petrochemicals and that impart improved performance attributes in their use,” he said.
In addition, Shanks stressed that a crucial attribute in producing fuels and chemicals is the large capital infrastructure required for their manufacture. “Commercially, risk mitigation for biomass processing infrastructure can best be accomplished by adding on limited new equipment to an existing agricultural or wood processing facility or by co-locating the new manufacturing process next to (“across the fence” from) such an existing facility,” Shanks said. “This strategy is already happening in the industry.”
Ann Hazlett, assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development at USDA; Richard Davis, acting administrator of the Rural Housing Service at USDA, Chadwick Parker, acting administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at the USDA; Christopher McLean, acting administrator of the Rural Utilities Service at the USDA; Aleta Botts, executive director at the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development; Elmer Ronnebaum, general manager of the Kansas Rural Water Association; Christopher Stephens, president and CEO of Coweta-Fayette EMC; Denny Law, CEO of Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative; and Mark Olinyk, president of Harvest Energy Solutions, also testified at the event.
A video of the nearly three-hour hearing can be viewed on the committee website.
Thank You for stopping by the Green Blog. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know by posting a question or comment. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone.
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