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Renewable Energy
Bioenergy
 Bioenergy
is stored solar energy contained in materials such as
plant matter and animal waste, known as biomass. Biomass
is considered renewable because it is replenished more
quickly when compared to the millions of years required
to replenish fossil fuels.
Bioenergy can be derived from agricultural residue,
pulp/paper mill residue, urban wood waste, forest residue,
crops, landfill methane, and animal waste. Biomass can
be used as an energy source by converting cellulose
in to ethanol, a clean burning fuel.
Image credit: National Renewable Energy Lab, Photographic Information Exchange
Recent Developments in
Bioenergy
The Bush administration committed $179 million in its fiscal year 2008 budget for research into producing ethanol from a variety of sources. The funding is up 20 percent, or $149.7 million, from the FY 2007 budget and is meant to make cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012.
Relatedly, the Biotechnology Industry Organization praised the
2007 Farm Bill Proposals to encourage the production of biofuels and biobased products from renewable agricultural resources, as well as ensure fairness of international trade for agriculture.
Adapted from Energy Environment News and from BIO Press Release,
US 2007 Farm Bill Proposals applauded by BIO.
For more information on energy from Biomass, see
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