GLIN==> Path to Sustainable Bioenergy in United States Will Require a New Roadmap

Path to Sustainable Bioenergy in United States Will Require a New
Roadmap
 
New report calls for strong agriculture and energy policies that create
jobs, curb global warming pollution, enhance national security, protect
wildlife and uphold soil and water quality.
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30)—The vast potential of plant-based energy
sources to create jobs, curb global warming and protect wildlife could
be a reality in the United States—but not without changes in federal
policies that have created an unsustainable first generation of
biofuels, according to a new report released today by the National
Wildlife Federation.
 
“Plant-based energy sources can play an important role in helping our
nation create jobs, transition to a clean energy economy and confront
global warming,” said Julie Sibbing, director of Global Warming,
Agriculture and Wildlife at the National Wildlife Federation and
co-author of the report. “However, we will need a new roadmap.”
 
Harvesting plant-based crops to produce energy to power cars, homes,
businesses and communities—so-called bioenergy—has long been recognized
as an important strategy for helping the nation transition away from
fossil fuels and toward an economy based on clean, renewable sources of
energy. 
 
“Successful, sustainable bioenergy projects have started to take root
in the United States, yet are not being adequately supported by current
federal policies,” said Sibbing. “This report underscores the urgent
need for the U.S. Congress and Obama Administration to enact solutions
that support domestic plant-based energy sources that create jobs,
enhance national security, protect wildlife and curb global warming
pollution.”
 
Biomass already produces 15 times more renewable energy for the United
States than wind and solar combined. It holds the promise for creating
heat, electricity and fuel from a variety of sources. Perennial grasses
grown on marginal lands, studies suggest, can produce two to three times
more energy per acre than existing grain crops—with fewer expensive
up-front costs, leading to improved farmer income.
 
The report sets out several visions for what a sustainable bioenergy
future might look like, highlighting successful biomass businesses that
are producing energy for schools, colleges, hospitals, and prisons using
native grasses, wood waste, and even forest debris from Hurricane Rita.
 
The transition from first-generation biofuels to more sustainable
plant-based energy sources will only happen, according to the report, by
enacting federal policies that:
--Remove subsidies for inefficient bioenergy practices that place new,
more efficient and sustainable practices at an economic disadvantage;
--Establish standards that ensure that bioenergy sources do not
contribute to environmental degradation and exacerbate global warming;
and,
--Establish incentives that reward practices that most effectively
combat global warming in a sustainable manner.
 
“Growing a Green Energy Future: A primer and Vision for Sustainable
Biomass Energy” recommends federal policies that ensure bioenergy
strategies help address global warming; maintain economic vitality;
protect native habitats and biodiversity; assure sustainable harvests;
prevent crops from becoming invasive; preserve water resources; protect
water quality and uphold soil quality. 
 
“People, communities, farmers, businesses and wildlife will all benefit
from our transition to a clean energy economy supported by sustainable
plant-based energy sources,” said Sibbing. “We have solutions. It is
time to use them.”
 
National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization
inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.
 
For more information: www.nwf.org/news 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 30, 2010
 
CONTACT:
Julie Sibbing, National Wildlife Federation, 202-797-6832;
sibbing at nwf.org 
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, 734-887-7109,
lubetkin at nwf.org 
 
 
Jordan Lubetkin - Senior Regional Communications Manager
National Wildlife Federation
Great Lakes Regional Center
213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1398
www.nwf.org/greatlakes 
www.healthylakes.org ( http://www.healthylakes.org/ )

Phone: (734) 887-7109 
Cell: (734) 904-1589

Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
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