Time for Bioenergy to Get Smart

Bioenergy—electricity and fuels derived from plant or animal-based materials—can be part of the solution to America’s energy and environmental needs. But it must be produced in a way that protects our air, soil, and water and generates the lowest amount of global warming pollution.

Congress recently passed a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as part of the Energy Bill. This standard would require the production of as much as 36 billion gallons of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, by 2022 and includes important environmental oversight over the full lifecycle of biofuels production. In addition, it mandates that 21 billion gallons come from fuels that release at least 50 percent less global warming pollution than gasoline.

Unfortunately, a competing version of the RFS, one stripped of these vital environmental safeguards, has been included in the Senate Food and Farm Bill. If this version of the RFS passes and is signed into law, it will trump the stronger RFS signed by the president on December 19. Please urge your representative to support a smart Renewable Fuel Standard that protects our air, soil, and water and significantly reduces global warming pollution. The RFS included in the Energy Bill—not the Senate Food and Farm Bill—represents the best opportunity for bioenergy to play a real role in America's global warming solution.

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