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Biofuel: Energy Independence

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Biofuel: Energy Independence
Growth Potential for Biofuels 1

RUNNING HEAD: Growth Potential for Biofuels

Biofuel: Energy Independence?

December 13, 2009

Growth Potential for Biofuels 2 Executive Summary This paper will discuss the history and growth potential for biofuels as a way to relieve our dependence on foreign oil in the United States. It will look at the different sources available to produce biofuels, and whether biofuels would actually result in a reduction of green house gases. Lastly, I will discuss the controversy of taking food stock away from the food supply chain and turning it into fuel, causing possible increases in global food prices.

Currently the United States imports 317 billion gallons of oil from around the world each year (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ask/crudeoil_faqs.asp). This is a major threat to our security because our commerce, defense, and livelihood depend on foreign oil. Because of the current wars in the Middle East, and the sudden increase in oil prices a few years ago, there has been renewed interest in expanding the United States production of biofuel and biodiesel. Biofuel or ethanol is a replacement, or additive, for conventional gasoline; where biodiesel is a replacement to conventional diesel. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), most gas stations in the US now have ethanol as an additive to the gasoline we purchase on a regular basis (www.usda.gov).

History of Biofuel Biofuel and biodiesel are not a new development, rather, Henry Ford’s first car ran on biofuels, and the diesel engines were designed to run on peanut oil. When petroleum oil was found to be inexpensive, and readily available, it replaced biofuel and biodiesel, it has been the dominant fuel source since then. The oil embargo of the early 1970’s brought about interest in a way to extend gasoline supplies. In Brazil this brought about a major change in the national strategy for fuel production and the car manufactures. Brazil grows sugarcane in large


References: Baker, A., Sahniser, S., (2006) Ethanol Reshapes the Corn Market. Amber Waves, Vol 5, p 6671, Retrieved November 29, 2009 from United States Department of Agriculture. Bourne, J. K., (2007) Green Dreams: Making Fuel from Crops Could be Good for the Planet – After a Breakthrough or Two. National Geographic. p 38-59. October 10, 2007 Calomiris, C. W., (2007). Food for Fuel?; Debating the Tradeoffs of Corn-Based Ethanol. Foreign Affairs, 86(5), p 157-162. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. Cortez, L. A., Griffin, M.W., Scaramucci, J. A., Scandiffo, M. I., Braunbeck, O.A., (2003) Considerations on the Worldwide use of Bioethanol as a Contribution for Sustainability. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Vol 14 (4) p 508-519. Retrieved from Emerald Insights on November 11, 2009. Koh, L. P., Ghazoul, J., (2008) Biofuels, biodiversity, and people: Understanding the Conflict and Finding Opportunities, Biological Conservation, Vol 141, p 2450-2460. Retrieved from Science Direct on November 11, 2009. Lew Fulton. (2005). Biofuels for transport: A viable alternative? Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD Observer,(249), 41-45. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global. McGinnis, L. (2007). Fueling America-Without Petroleum. Agricultural Research, 55(4), 1013. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. Growth Potential for Biofuels 11 Newman, N., (2009) Counting the Costs of Going Green, Engineering & Technology, 25 July -7 August 2009, p 48-51. Retrieved from EBSCO on November 11, 2009. Perry, A.. (2008). "Power Plants" Prevail at the National Arboretum. Agricultural Research, 56(9), 22-26. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. Ren, Z., Lin, Y., (2001) Global Warming and its Astro-Causes. Chapter 5 Retrieved from Emerald Insight on November 11, 2009. Suszkiw, J., Marcia, W., (2007). Genetic Snapshots: Help Brighten Switchgrass 's Future. Agricultural Research, 55(4), 14-15. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. United Stated Department of Agriculture, http://www.usda.gov/ Retrieved on November 29, 2009. US Energy Information Administration. (n.d.). Crude Oil FAQs – Energy Information Administration. Retrived November 29, 2009 from http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ask/crudeoil_faqs.asp Wood, M.. (2008). From Garbage to Gas. Agricultural Research, 56(9), 13. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry.
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