CATF Applauds EPA Decision to Regulate Biofuels’ Full Effect on Climate … But Remains Deeply Concerned About Model Outcomes
February 3rd, 2010 by CATF,In a final rule revising the RFS, EPA agreed to calculate the extent to which biofuel production mandate indirectly affects land use patterns around the world by increasing demand for farmland. CATF applauds the decision to account for the impact those land use changes have on global warming. However, much work remains to be done to ensure US biofuel policy promotes fuels that truly benefit the environment.
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RESEARCH: Bioenergy Policies Must Not Ignore Indirect Land Use Emissions
October 30th, 2009 by CATF,Article: T Searchinger et al (2009). Fixing a Critical Climate Accounting Error. Science. Vol.326. no.5972, pp.527-528
In “Fixing a Critical Climate Error,” a collection of leading energy experts found that the GHG emissions accounting method used in the Kyoto Protocol and in many national-level policies fails to consider emissions from land use when biomass for energy is harvested or grown. Instead, the policies treat all bioenergy as carbon neutral — even though there are significant differences in net emissions depending on the source of the biomass being used and its net land-use effects.
NPR coverage: Scientists: Biofuels Laws May Harm Environment
CATF: Senate Committee Must Allow EPA to Consider Land Use Change Emissions
September 21st, 2009 by CATF,In a letter submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee, CATF and dozens of other environmental organizations called on senators to reject an amendment that would thwart EPA’s attempt to scientifically analyze the greenhouse gas emissions that result from land use changes around the world related to increased biofuel production.
RESEARCH: Modeling Uncertainty Is Not a Reasonable Basis for Ignoring ILUC Emissions
July 14th, 2009 by CATF,Article: T Searchinger (2009). Why Uncertainty in Modeling Indirect Land Use Change From Biofuels Cannot Justify Ignoring It. Princeton University & German Marshall Fund of the U.S.
An analysis by Tim Searchinger explains why modeling uncertainty does not logically or practically justify ignoring overseas emissions from the land use change associated with US biofuel production mandates.
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EPA’s RFS Proposal: One Step Forward … and Another Step Back?
May 5th, 2009 by CATF,According to its proposed rule for implementing revisions to the Renewable Fuel Standard, EPA plans to measure greenhouse gas emissions from land use changes directly and indirectly caused by biofuel production — something CATF has repeatedly called on the agency to do.
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CATF Calls on EPA to Count Indirect GHG Emissions in RFS
March 18th, 2009 by CATF,In a pair of letters delivered to EPA Administrator Jackson, CATF and other environmental organizations insisted that a proposed rule for implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard account for the greenhouse gas emissions from indirect land use change associated with increased biofuels production.
Environmental CEO’s Letter to EPA on ILUC
Environmental Organization’s Letter to EPA on ILUC
CATF Criticizes Biofuel Industry Effort to Undermine Global Warming Standards
October 31st, 2008 by CATF,CATF and two other organizations called on the Environmental Protection Agency to meet its responsibility under the law and reject a biofuel industry attempt to weaken land use-related global warming standards for ethanol.
CATF Comments Urging EPA to Waive RFS
June 23rd, 2008 by CATF,Comments submitted by CATF, Environmental Working Group, and Friends of the Earth on June 23, 2008, urging EPA to waive the 2008 Renewable Fuel Standard in light of concerns about biofuels’ negative environmental impacts.
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CATF Position Paper on Biofuels Policy Development
December 31st, 2007 by CATF,The adverse indirect effects of biofuel policies likely exceed any direct benefits. In theory, biofuels have much positive potential, however, in practice the push for biofuel production has inflated global food prices, contributed to deforestation and ecosystem destruction abroad and has likely exacerbated global climate change effects. Going forward, the development of analytical tools to conduct accurate life cycle analyses that account for the negative indirect impacts of biofuels must be implemented. In addition, policies must be carefully devised and subject to careful cost-benefit analysis. Lastly, policy makers are encouraged to implement “niche biofuel policies” that are specifically designed to protect the climate.
Click here for the complete position paper.
CATF Urges EPA to Strengthen Emissions Analysis in RFS Proposal
September 25th, 2009 by CATF,In a pair of comment letters submitted to EPA, CATF commended the agency for counting GHG emissions from indirect land use change in its proposed RFS implementation rule, and urged EPA to base it analysis on the most current data and modeling tools. CATF filed comments in conjunction with a collection of other environmental groups on a wide range of issues, while also providing EPA with separate detailed comments on issues of particular concern.
Environmental Community Comments on EPA’s RFS2 Proposal
CATF and FOE Comments on EPA’s RFS2 Proposal
Press Release on CATF’s Comments
Tags: administrative comment, EPA, ILUC, land use, policy, regulation, Renewable Fuel Standard, RFS
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