More data show how EPA should
give biodiesel credit for advancements�without giving petroleum
a free ride
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, October 15, 2009
--/WORLD-WIRE/-- Biodiesel is better than ever at harnessing
the power of the sun and turning it into fuel. In fact, a study
shows the fuel is returning more than four times the energy that
it takes to make biodiesel.
Newly published research from the University of Idaho and U.S.
Department of Agriculture shows that for every unit of fossil
energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 4.5 units of
energy. This energy-in, energy-out ratio is "energy balance."
Biodiesel made from soybean oil has a high energy balance
because the main energy source used to grow soybeans is solar.
"This gives Americans even more reason to put their faith in the
environmental and societal benefits of biodiesel," said Joe Jobe,
CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. "The Environmental
Protection Agency should take this into account when considering
biodiesel's greenhouse gas reductions," he said.
Jobe was referring to EPA's proposed rule to implement the
expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). EPA used 2005 baseline
numbers for petroleum and biodiesel to project carbon impact 22
years in the future. That stacks the deck in favor of petroleum.
"In its rulemaking, EPA should recognize that biodiesel
production is growing more efficient, while oil exploration and
drilling becomes more intensive each day," Jobe said.
The USDA/Idaho study finds key drivers that continue to make
biodiesel an efficient fuel choice:
- New seed varieties and management practices are upping
soybean yields.
- Farmers have minimized cultivation of the soil. These
reduced tillage practices have cut how much fuel they need
to grow soybeans.
- Modern soybean varieties have reduced the need for
pesticides.
- Today's soybean processing and biodiesel plants are more
energy-efficient.
"Our research shows continued progress in the renewability of
biodiesel production," said University of Idaho Department of
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Assistant Professor Dev
Shrestha. "Farmers, soybean processors and biodiesel producers
are getting even better at using non-fossil resources and
adopting other efficiencies that are leading to greater energy
returns."
The new study is based on biodiesel produced from soybean oil,
the largest share of the biodiesel market. Other abundant
sources used for biodiesel included recycled cooking oil, fats
and other plant oils, such as canola oil. Biodiesel is a
clean-burning renewable fuel for diesel engines. It improves air
quality and creates green-collar jobs. The NBB is the national
trade association of the industry.
For more details on biodiesel and NBB's formal comments to EPA,
visit www.biodiesel.org.
For a complete copy of the report go to
http://www.usda.gov/oce/energy and click on Papers and
Reports.
Contact:
Jenna Higgins/NBB
800-841-5849
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