Capehart, Thomas. “U.S. Bioenergy Statistics.” USDA ERS – Food Environment Atlas, 7 Nov.
2018, www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/us-bioenergy-statistics/
Abstract:
This article gives an overview of the usage of biofuel in the US, and what materials contribute to the production of biofuel. With many statistics given in the forms of tables, it is apparent that the US has began to use more and more biofuel as time goes on. Most of this production of biofuel comes from corn. Ethanol contributes to approximately ninety percent of all biofuel production in the US. The rest of it is comprised of biodiesel. Similar to ethanol, biodiesel uses plants. But instead of corn, it is made up of vegetable oils. The majority of the oil used is soy oil.
Response:
To look at numbers as the ones in this article is a something that gives hope. With a country like the US, there is massive amounts of carbon and non-sustainable waste produced each day. But with numbers showing a gradual increase in the use of biofuel is very good sign. Not only is the US trying to make sustainable and useful fuels, but they are succeeding. If this patterns continues, than the US may be able to support itself on sustainable fuels someday. This is something everyone hopes for, but it cannot come unless the process continues and people continue to work for that goal.
And here comes corn again… always sneaking in to everything. I’m all for biodiesel, but when I hear about corn ethanol it gives me pause, knowing it is not the best fuel choice, but a result of government policy. What do you think? Is the increase in biofuel a result of farm policy or because of other things driving the increase?
Thank you for leaving a comment. Corn does always seem to weave its way into about everything. It is possible that a majority of the biofuel production is from ethanol and being driven by farm policy. But I would hope that this is not the case. It would be far more progressive if we made a shift away from corn based fuel and towards real biofuel