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iBerkshires
08:59AM / Thursday, June 26, 2008
Skyrocketing gas and oil prices are propelling the alternative fuels industry, particularly the development of biofuels. Corn-derived ethanol's been around for awhile but newer technologies are paving the way with other flora — soybeans, woody brush — in the race for new energy resources.
An energy bill passed last year by Congress calls for ethanol production to increase from 7 billion to 36 billion gallons over the next 12 years.
What does that mean? In Massachusetts, a biofuels task force has encouraged the use of cellulosic biofuels such as soybeans, brush and biomass derived from marginal lands. The type of harvest suitable for the yeoman farms prevalent in New England and an extra crop to help sustain them.
Farther west, corn and soybean are major cash crops for food, feedstock for animals and for biofuels — and livestock producers are beginning to feel the pinch. BusinessWeek last year described it as "one of the first signs of a coming agricultural transformation and a global economic shift."
The governor of Texas has called for a reduction to federal biofuel production and is being backed by farmers across the nation who are blaming ethanol for rising food prices.
At a National Press Club the other day, it seems Berkshire County's Lee Harrison, executive vice president of the planned $65 million Berkshire Biodiesel, was the lone voice of dissent.
Read The Associated Press story below. (Note that AP incorrectly places Berkshire Biodiesel in Williamstown. Harrison lives in Williamstown but Berkshire Biodiesel is in Pittsfield.)
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iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary. Comments are closed for this article. If you would like to contribute information on this article, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com |
I think they are both right. Using any foodstock to create fuel is poor way to produce energy. Without know what the Texas governor's plan is or what Harrison plans to use for feedstock for his bio-diesel are, its hard to say who has the better plan.
I think the article is symptomatic of the overall problem with energy production and usage today. People/companies are so tied to a single product or solution they fail to see the big picture or look for ways that produce a win-win for both sides.
Getting the country off of petro-chemical fertilizers and agri-business, and producing power from waste streams and renewable sources is where we have to go. I hope Harrison is looking to algea for his future feedstock or he won't be any better off than if he owned an oil well. Channeling the CO2 emissions from fossil-fueled power plants into algea farms will help sequester the CO2 and provide a feedstock for bio-diesel at the same time.
| | from: CJ Vadnais | on: 06-26-2008 12:00AM
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| Excellent comments. Unfortunately, in most cases, the driver here isn't an improved environment or the development of more efficient energy production materials...it's money. Most entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of opportunities are looking for that big return with minimal input. The same applies. Production and demand are knowns here....it's that next-gen visionary that we need to support and fund because, as we can see, we simply don't have enough resource to go around....if it comes down to a simple decision...do we eat or do we drive, the choice is no longer a choice. People may protest high gas prices but they will kill for food. | | from: Amused | on: 06-26-2008 12:00AM
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