Algae's Potential as a Transportation Biofuel
Abstract
Congress is currently questioning whether existing policies are leading to the expanded use of domestic advanced biofuels - including algae-based biofuels (ABB), among other options. In the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140), Congress expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) by mandating that increasing volumes of renewable biofuels be used in the nations transportation fuel supply. The RFS2 identified four specific biofuel categories and established time-specific mandates for quantities of fuels, the fastest-growing and largest of which is the cellulosic biofuels category. Algae is not identified as a cellulosic biofuel feedstock type to meet the RFS2. According to RFS compliance data monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a steady production of small amounts of cellulosic biofuel began in mid-2013. As a result of the small amounts produced, EPA was compelled to lower the cellulosic biofuel mandate for the fourth successive year and has proposed to do so for a fifth year in 2014. Moreover, the long term certainty of the tax incentives for which ABB is eligible is debatable. There is considerable concern about how the U.S. cellulosic biofuels industry will develop to meet the mandates in the absence of federal support and which, if any, other types of biomass could be used as a primary feedstock to meet the mandate. Thus far, legislation pertaining to algae-based biofuels has not been introduced in the 113th Congress. Congress held hearings and Members introduced legislation during the 112th Congress that supported the use of multiple biomass feedstocks as energy sources to meet transportation needs. Of particular interest are feedstocks that are sustainable and domestic in origin, could spur job creation, and would have few adverse environmental impacts. Some argue that algae - generally defined as simple photosynthetic organisms that live in water - is one biomass feedstock that could meet these criteria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 30, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1170103
Entities
People
- Kelsi Bracmort
Organizations
- Library of Congress