The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the largest corn crop in 63 years is on the horizon as farmers cash in on the ethanol gold rush. Estimates indicate more than 90 million acres will be planted with corn this spring. Experts say corn is selling above production cost for the first time in 30 years, and farmers are reacting with record planting. In fact, prices have more than doubled since last August, and the total windfall could be $50 billion. With a successful harvest, farmers will reap 12.5 billion bushels this autumn. That's 700 million more than the 2004 record. On the flip side, other crops such as soybean, rice and cotton will decline. With the increased corn supply and about 80 biofuel refineries going on line, ethanol production is expected to jump from 5.6 billion gallons to 8 billion this year.

[Source: Richard Luscombe & Jacqui Goddard / scotsman.com]

The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have published the results of the Biodiesel Lifecycle Inventory Study which looked at energy resources consumed and air, water and solid waste emissions generated by petroleum diesel fuel and biodiesel. The intention of the three-and-a-half-year study was to provide a comprehensive "cradle to grave" environmental comparison of the two fuels in order to compare the total "lifecycle" costs and benefits of each.

It was determined that biodiesel has a total fossil energy efficiency ratio (i.e., total fuel energy / total fossil energy used in production, manufacture, transportation and distribution) four times greater than that of petroleum diesel fuel making biodiesel far more efficient in its use of non-renewable fossil fuels.

Other key findings showed that in comparison to petroleum diesel, biodiesel had:

• 78 percent lower overall lifecycle carbon dioxide
• 35 percent lower overall lifecycle carbon monoxide
• 32 percent lower overall lifecycle particulate matter
• 68 percent lower overall bus exhaust-pipe emissions of PM10 (significant in relation to respiratory disease)
• 83.6 percent lower overall bus exhaust-pipe emissions of particulate matter soot
• 8 percent lower overall lifecycle sulphur oxides
• No bus exhaust-pipe emissions of sulphur oxides
• 3 percent lower overall lifecycle methane
• 37 percent lower overall lifecycle hydrocarbons
• 79 percent lower overall lifecycle production of wastewater
• 96 percent lower overall lifecycle production of hazardous solid wastes

Analysis: It's great that such a comprehensive study has been undertaken that no one will be able to argue with due to its thoroughness and due-diligence. I'm surprised that nitrogen oxides emissions weren't mentioned which are typically held to be higher for biodiesel than petroleum diesel, but even if they are, clearly biodiesel is miles in front of petroleum diesel in terms of environmental impact. The key findings read like a Top Ten list of emissions we would all like to see reduced to zero and should be reason enough to continue to push forward the introduction of the renewable fuel. Biodiesel, it's good stuff.

Related:

• New Mexico House passes B5 by 2012 bill with 47-8 vote
• British Columbia sees biofuels as part of 2025 energy self-sufficiency plan
• Interview with Emily Horgan, Director of the Greaseball Challenge, part one

[Source: The Independent]

The Department of Agriculture predicts that the U.S., which exports 45-50 million tons of corn yearly, will instead convert 50 million tons to ethanol next year. Last year alone the country exported over 40 million tons which is enough to feed over 130 million people.

Federal requirement to double ethanol availability to 7.5 billion by 2012 is cited as the major cause for this change and the current corn prices. Analysts predict increasing competition between the fuel industry, service stations, and supermarkets.

Related: Rapeseed of War between food industry, biodiesel advocates

[Source: Financial Times via Truth about Trade & Technology]