Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - April 15, 2016

Carbon Farming – Agriculture’s Answer to Climate Change?

On April 12, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) announced a new funding opportunity aimed at increasing the carbon storage potential of U.S. agricultural soils.  Land-use, which includes agriculture, is responsible for 25 percent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  While reducing fossil energy use is key to limiting warming to the internationally agreed less than 2 degrees Celsius, it will be impossible to meet climate targets if emissions associated with land-use are not also addressed. At the same time, modern agricultural practices have severely depleted the natural reserve of soil carbon; however addressing soil carbon can reduce emissions associated with agriculture and store additional carbon in the soil.  This article explores both low- and high-tech approaches to “carbon farming” and the political and social appetite to use agriculture as a means to address climate change.

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Biofuels Groups Contend EPA’s Corn Ethanol Lifecycle Emissions Woefully Out of Date

In March, the Urban Air Initiative, the Energy Future Coalition and the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition provided data to the EPA on the lifecycle emissions of ethanol.  The groups state that the agency’s own assessment of ethanol lifecycle emissions – the sum total of emissions from farming, refining, transportation – are woefully out of date. The agency last conducted a comprehensive assessment of ethanol lifecycle emissions in 2010.

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Headlines

1. U.S. Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Imports Increase 61% in 2015 

2. Farmers Get Biggest Subsidy Check in Decade as Prices Drop 

3. FAA Approves New Renewable Jet Fuel

4. A Win for Wood: US Green Building Council to Give Credit to Wood from More Certified Forests

5. Illinois Senate Looking to Support Ethanol Through Tax Break Schemes

 

EESI Webinar Re-Cap:

Can Coal Country Thrive in a Clean Energy Economy?

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a webinar that explored how traditionally coal-reliant communities can transition, diversify and strengthen their economies as the United States moves toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. We discussed the funding opportunities and work being done at the local, regional and federal levels to help these communities grow vibrant local economies. This webinar highlighted the range of actions being taken by various coal-reliant regions to diversify and develop new jobs and sources of revenue. 

 

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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