Renewable Fuel Standard: Potential Economic and Environmental Effects of U.S. Biofuel Policy (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780309187510)

In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels.

Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate.

Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report.

Author: National Research Council,Division on Engineering and Physical Sci,Board on Energy and Environmental System
ISBN-10: 0309187516
ISBN-13: 9780309187510
Publisher: National Academies Press
Language: English
Published: 01/29/2012
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Weight: 2.24lbs
Size: 9.90h x 7.00w x 1.00d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 07/01/2012
Reference and Research Bk News 04/01/2012 pg. 282