Projections From the 2007 Energy Information Administration Annual Energy
Outlook Ignore Planned Growth in Production of Ethanol From Cellulose
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO) today said the Energy Information Administration's (EIA)
"Annual Energy Outlook 2007," released earlier this week, severely
underestimates growth in production of ethanol from cellulose over the next
few years. The EIA's outlook projects very slow growth in production of
ethanol from cellulose, reaching only 300 million gallons per year by 2030,
just slightly higher than the 250 million gallons per year required
beginning in 2013 under the Renewable Fuels Standard included in the Energy
Policy Act of 2005.
"The Energy Information Administration's calculations fail to take into
account recent developments in the ethanol industry that will ramp up
production of ethanol from cellulose," said Brent Erickson, executive vice
president of BIO's Industrial and Environmental Section. "With industrial
biotech processes ready for deployment and production -- by companies such
as Abengoa, Iogen, Broin, and Mascoma -- and currently available feedstock
from agricultural residues, ethanol production could reach three times
current levels within three to five years as ethanol from cellulose is
added to the current biofuel technology mix."
The EIA's Outlook report projects growth in production of ethanol from
corn to reach 13.6 billion gallons per year by 2030, consistent with
projections from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy
(DOE). The USDA and DOE report "Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and
Bioproducts Industry" also projects production of 47 billion gallons of
ethanol from cellulose by 2030.
Erickson continued, "Growth in production of ethanol from cellulose is
based on proven biotech advances that could significantly increase the
availability of our overall ethanol supply by 2030. Recent announcements by
several companies indicate cellulosic biomass ethanol units will either be
added to existing ethanol plants or will be built separately within the
next two years. For example, Abengoa is building the world's first
commercial ethanol from cellulose facility in Spain and Broin has announced
plans to add a cellulosic unit to its facility in Emmetsburg, Iowa. This is
real evidence the EIA report does not adequately account for rapid growth
in production of ethanol from cellulose we see coming."
BIO supports the production of ethanol from all feedstocks.
Agricultural biotechnology is helping to increase corn yields, while
industrial biotechnology is helping to convert corn starch and crop
residues into ethanol more efficiently. With ongoing advances in
biotechnology, biofuels can help America meet nearly half its
transportation-fuel needs by the middle of this century.
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across
the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the
research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and
environmental biotechnology products.
SOURCE Biotechnology Industry Organization
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Related links:
http://www.bio.org
CONTACT:
Paul Winters of Biotechnology Industry
Organization, +1-202-962-9237
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