Energy Crops vs. Forest Biomass for Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard: Implications for Land Use and GHG Emissions

摘要: Increasing concerns about energy security and climate change mitigation have led to significant policy support for biofuels, particularly cellulosic biofuels. This paper examines the short- long-run effects of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on mix agricultural forest biomass, food, fuel wood markets land use by using an economic model that integrates agriculture, transportation sectors. Our results show RFS would lead production 1600 billion liters corn ethanol over 2010-2035 periods, which could constitute a maximum two-thirds cumulative biofuel production; remaining mandate is met advanced The logging residues are primary initial providers biomass feedstocks. After year 2025, crops crop will play leading role in feedstocks production. Producing these biofuels not cause between within sector as compared business-as-usual (BAU) case. total annual GHG flux under 2035 improved 6.9% social welfare increases 4% relative BAU.