EESI Testifies Before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Comittee on the Renewable Fuel Standard

EESI Testifies Before Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the Renewable Fuel Standard, Expresses Concern over Definition of Renewable Biomass

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2008
For More Information, Contact: Laura Parsons, 202-662-1884

WASHINGTON, DC- In testimony before the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on February 7, Carol Werner, Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), expressed strong support for the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that was enacted as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The RFS calls for a total of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2022, with 21 billion gallons of this to be derived from advanced biofuels (i.e., derived from biomass other than cornstarch) which will be required to meet a 50-60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

However, Werner told the Committee that the exclusion of any thinning or residues from federal forest lands in the RFS feedstock definition eliminates an opportunity to support hazardous fuels reduction (a national priority in seeking to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires) and reduces the number and amount of cellulosic feedstocks for production of renewable fuels. “This could shatter the hopes of many communities in rural areas that wish to rid themselves of such excess materials and at the same time create job opportunities in places stricken by unemployment,” said Werner.

She said that forests (public and private) cover approximately one third of the nation’s land area and that much of that acreage is in need of thinning for a variety of sustainable forestry management practices. A thriving renewable fuels industry could open up markets for such thinning materials and woody residues. Referring to reports from the Western Governors Association, the Oregon Environmental Council and the California Biomass Collaborative, Werner said that, “the amount of forest biomass that could be sustainably harvested is tremendous.”

Werner’s testimony emphasized that sustainability is essential and that the RFS/renewable fuels should be seen as an important piece of the solution to climate change but that other policies and strategies, including dramatically improved vehicle efficiency, advanced vehicle technologies (e.g., flex-fuel plug-in hybrids), and better options through more transit, biking and walking, etc., are critically important.

View the Full Testimony

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