Biofuel Grasslands Better for Birds Than Ethanol Staple Corn, Researchers Find

Biofuel crops can be a big threat to wildlife, or not, as this article shows-

Biofuel Grasslands Better for Birds. Science Daily.

Wood fired (biomass) generation is not a clean and green technology

A new use for the bankrupt Missoula paper mill might save jobs, but beware of “greenwashing”-

“Biomass” fuel, as it is often called, is said to be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. It may be that way sometimes, but cutting down dead forests, hauling them off and burning them to make steam for electricity is not.

Dr. Thomas Power discusses why this is so.

Guest Column (in New West). Biomass Potential for Old Montana Mill Raises Many Questions. By Thomas Power.

One additional problem Dr. Power doesn’t mention is what happens when the beetle killed forest fuel is exhausted or too much decayed and a green stand of trees is on the horizon?
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More recent wildlife relevant news on biofuels.
Both of these article say monocultures of biofuels are environmentally harmful projects.

Diverse Landscapes Are Better: Policymakers Urged To Think Broadly About Biofuel Crops. Science Daily
Jan.26, 2010. Biofuel Crop Diversity Adds Value, Researchers Say. Science Daily.

Bacteria Engineered to Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel

This is much better (on paper) than other biofuels or hydrogen gas-

This is an amazing development. Hopefully it won’t be difficult to move it from the lab to sources of carbon dioxide gas such as coal, oil and natural gas fired power plants.

Bacteria Engineered to Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Liquid Fuel. ScienceDaily

Northwest’s biofuel boom goes bust

The headline should read “corn ethanol,” not biofuel-

Despite the past, and continuing subsidies, ethanol made from corn produces little net energy and a lot of political conflict as it consumes a quarter of the country’s corn crop.

Advanced biofuels might hold promise, especially those using bacteria to directly produce ethanol or other low carbon fuels. However, the creation of vast monocultures of vegetation on lands unsuited for crop (such as corn) production, could pose a planet changing environmental cost. “Waste” trees and brush from all over the countryside fed into a bottomless biofuel energy machine could leave the countyside looking like Haiti.

Northwest’s biofuel boom goes bust. By Scott Learn, The Oregonian

Idaho is a manure gold mine. Methane can be captured from the state’s pile of muck

Potent greenhouse gas (methane) from mega-feedlots could become fuel rather than fueling global warming-

Idaho’s energy czar wants to harness power of manure. By The Associated Press

Southern Idaho is full of vast stinky livestock feedlots (dairy and beef). Here is one way to amelioate the situation

Some biofuels may harm environment more than help. Corn ethanol number one

This should hardly be news, but many policy-makers still don’t realize this. Our wildlife, water, and economy will suffer unless this is understood better. Politics also plays a role as many corn producing states are up for grabs in the upcoming election. Many politicians will decide it is safer to cater to corn ethanol for now.

Some Biofuels Might Do More Harm Than Good To The Environment, Study Finds. Science Daily.

Corn Fuel = CO2 Emissions

The latest Science Magazine shows that certain biofuels (especially corn-based) make climate change even worse. They do not help fix it.

Story in New West. Corn Fuel = CO2 Emissions. By Richard Martin.