Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress (Final Report, 2011)
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Abstract
EPA announced the release of the final report, Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress (EPA/600/R-10/183F), prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (now known as the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment) within EPA’s Office of Research and Development, as the first EPA report published on this issue. This is the first triennial Report to Congress required under Section 204 of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA).The 2007 EISA mandates increased for the production of biofuels (fuels derived from organic materials) from 9 billion gallons per year in 2008 to 36 billion gallons per year by 2022. Air and water quality, soil quality and conservation, water availability, ecosystem health and biodiversity, invasive species, and international impacts are assessed, as are opportunities to mitigate these impacts. Section 204 of the EISA also requires that the EPA assess and report to Congress every three years on the current and potential future environmental and resource conservation impacts associated with increased biofuel production and use.
The feedstocks compared in this qualitative assessment of peer-reviewed literature include corn starch, soybeans, corn stover, perennial grasses, woody biomass, algae, and waste. Biofuels compared include conventional and cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. This report concludes that (1) the extent of adverse impacts to date are limited in magnitude and are primarily associated with the intensification of corn production; (2) whether future impacts are positive or negative will be determined by choice of feedstock, land use change, cultivation, and conservation practices; and (3) realizing potential benefits will require implementation and monitoring of conservation and best management practices, improvements in production efficiency, and implementation of innovative technologies at commercial scales. This report provides a foundation for comprehensive environmental assessments of biofuel production.
Impact/Purpose
EISA Section 204 calls for EPA to report to Congress on the environmental and resource conservation impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, specifically air and water quality, water quantity, ecosystem health and biodiversity, soil quality, invasive species, and international impacts. This report is the first of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) reports to Congress required under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA).Citation
U.S. EPA. Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress (Final Report, 2011). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/183F, 2011.History/Chronology
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 01- Dec 2009 | EPA conducted an interagency review for comments on the draft report. |
| 02- Nov 2010 | EPA finalizes the 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards (PDF, 3pp, 505Kb). |
| 03- Jan 2011 | EPA released the biofuels report to Congress external review draft for public review and comment. |
| 04- Mar 2011 | EPA hosted a public peer review meeting to review the draft report. [Federal Register Notice Jan 28, 2011] |
| 05- Jan 2012 | EPA released the final report. |
Download(s)
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
- Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress (PDF) (220 pp, 7.6 MB, about PDF)
- Summary of and Response to Comments Received concerning the June 8, 2011 Draft (PDF) (25 pp, 199.2 KB, about PDF)
- Summary of and Response to Comments Received concerning the January 19, 2011 External Peer Review Draft (PDF) (26 pp, 180.7 KB, about PDF)
Related Link(s)
- Summary of the Energy Independence and Security Act Public Law 110-140 (2007)
- Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program
- Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress (External Review Draft, 2011)
- Biofuels and the Environment: Second Triennial Report to Congress (Final Report, 2018)
- Biofuels and the Environment: Third Triennial Report to Congress (Final Report, 2025)