Let's add biofuel to the fire

By John Imes

Risky sources of foreign oil, rising costs, and instability caused by Asia's growing demand as well as our own storm-ravaged infrastructure have created national security challenges that require bold leadership by policymakers. Unfortunately, the state Senate vote in March to delay action on the ethanol bill is a missed opportunity for Wisconsin. We must pursue home-grown solutions, including the use of corn-based ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and other emerging "biorefining" opportunities.

Every day in Wisconsin, more than $15 million leaves the state to pay for gasoline from other states and nations. By producing and selling biofuels here, we can create good-paying jobs and keep more of that money for investment.

Brazil is a proven model for ethanol use. In 1978, Brazil was 85 percent dependent on foreign oil. Now, after a series of policy innovations including raising the content of ethanol in fuels and requiring the use of flex-fuel vehicles, the country has reduced its dependency to almost zero and is fast becoming a major exporter of biofuels.

Brazil's conversion to ethanol has reduced the levels of lead, sulfur, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide while dramatically reducing its global climate change footprint. Smog-forming emissions such as nitrogen oxide have remained about the same. The Brazilian experience runs counter to the claims of those who opposed the proposed 10 percent ethanol fuel standard (E10). Opponents claimed smog would increase in southeast Wisconsin, leading to more stringent enforcement of environmental requirements and a drag on the region's economic development.

In fact, the potential for small increases in smog can be offset by adopting flexible air regulations and "Green Tier" strategies to reduce emissions during the summer ozone season. Manufacturers might receive flexible compliance or other incentives for em-ploying innovative technologies and practices to reduce emissions in the region. For example, Quad/Graphics has reduced its smog-forming emissions from rotogravure printing by 93 percent since 1990 while increasing production by 661 percent. Green Tier can help companies reduce emissions while boosting productivity and the market for biofuels.

Critics of biofuels have also argued that it takes more energy to produce them than to use them. Recent analysis by the Argonne National Laboratory of 22 studies concludes the "energy deficit" is a myth. Current science shows corn-based ethanol contains 1.2 to 1.8 times as much energy as the fossil fuels used in its production. Cellulosic ethanol, which can be produced from corn stover, sawdust, paper pulp and from energy crops such as switch grass, contains five times as much.

Cellulosic ethanol crops also reduce runoff, topsoil erosion and pesticide use compared to traditional row crops. The state can use Smart Growth and other strategies to support "working lands" while protecting sensitive environmental corridors from the impacts of energy crop production.

Raising the content of ethanol in fuels much further remains an option for Wisconsin. E85 (85 percent ethanol blended with 15 percent gasoline) has low evaporative emissions and does not produce extra nitrous oxide compared to E10. At the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, General Motors announced its commitment to build even more flex-fuel vehicles, increase public awareness and increase the number of E85 filling stations nationwide. In New York, policymakers are working to make E85 and other biofuels available at service stations across the state and to make those fuels "tax free."

A recent Energy Center of Wisconsin study prepared for the Governor's Consortium on Biobased Industry shows that Wisconsin is well positioned to lead the emerging bioeconomy. Gov. Jim Doyle formed the group to develop a plan to "promote economic growth and energy security in Wisconsin by using biobased products and bioenergy in environmentally sound ways."

The report shows that Wisconsin has the land resources and infrastructure in dairy, agriculture and forestry products, the skilled workforce in manufacturing, and leading research and development capabilities with the UW System to pursue the cutting-edge technologies of the future bioeconomy.

In particular, by promoting biofuels today, policymakers can spur the investments we need to develop value-added products from biomass including new types of plastics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. We can revitalize our rural and Northwoods economies while spurring entrepreneurship and creating more high-paying jobs in the state.

Let's add biofuel to the fire

By John Imes

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