Maryland’s forest clippings, grasses and algae could be used to make the so-called “next generation” of biofuels, but much more research must be done, officials said.
“The Chesapeake Bay region is well positioned to take leadership in this revolutionary shift to greener, renewable fuels, and to enjoy its economic and environmental benefits,” according to a new report by the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a regional legislative group, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Officials examined how the region can lead the transition from traditional, corn-based ethanol to cellulosic biofuels, which use parts of other plants to make ethanol.
Corn-based ethanol, which dominates the biofuel industry, converts the simple sugars and starch into ethanol, said Pat McMillan, assistant secretary for marketing, animal industries and consumer services at the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
But a federal cap on how much biofuel can come from corn — 15 billion gallons or 10 percent of fuel in use or production — has researchers exploring other options.
Now, the national push for biofuels is moving toward developing technology to convert cellulose into ethanol, McMillan said.
The science exists, but it’s not yet economically viable, he said, and many questions remain such as how to harvest, handle and store the cellulose.
In the report, officials recommended states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed encourage the production of these sources on unused land, create incentives through economic development programs and provide funding for small, pilot plants for biofuels.
The group also urged the region to come up with a strategy to leverage federal funding.
The Chesapeake Bay region hasn’t invested in the first generation of corn-based fuels, positioning it well to invest in the new biofuel technology, officials said.
In Maryland, researchers have been eyeing barley, a winter crop that could be planted to protect the soil between growing seasons and then be used for ethanol, said Lynne Hoot, executive director of the Maryland Grain Producers Association.
It could be at least five or six years before Maryland begins to see the fruits of the research, she said, as many projects are still in pilot phases.
Hoot added, “There is more research needed.”
Click here to download the report, “Next-Generation Biofuels: Taking the Policy Lead for the Nation” and other material from the BioSummit.
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