Open Fuel Standard Legislation Is Bad for the Environment; Bad for Biofuels
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Shale Natural Gas Does Not Belong in Pro-Environmental Legislation
A new legislative analysis by Advanced Biofuels USA concludes that the Open Fuel Standard (OFS) is bad for advanced biofuels and will add to environmental damage if passed and implemented.
HR 1687, being promoted at a press conference today hosted by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD 6th), and S. 559 introduced recently by US Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) include variations on the gracious-sounding theme, Open Fuel Standards. Going beyond the current voluntary Flex-Fuel vehicle (FFV) programs, these bills mandate that specific percentages of vehicles be built to operate on “alternative” fuels.
Of particular concern to those worried about preserving the environment and encouraging use ofrenewable fuels, this legislation would do the opposite.
Analyses of greenhouse gas emissions and US natural gas availability indicates that the inclusion of NG-methanol in any OFS program would produce results contrary to those intended. Instead of facilitating markets for renewable fuels, this legislation would promote petroleum imports and increases in GHG emissions from fracking.
Therefore, supporters of OFS who are committed to supporting a future of energy independence and reduced environmental damage should reconsider inclusion of NG-methanol in OFS legislation.
It seems logical that any Federal policy on transportation fuels should be focused on increasing the use of renewable, low GHG biofuels and bringing vehicles to market that can optimize the use of these fuels. This legislation does the opposite. READ MORE and MORE (DomesticFuel.com) and MORE (DomesticFuel.com) and MORE (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) and MORE (Renewable Fuels Association) and MORE (Herald Review) and MORE (Greenwire) subscription needed SEE ALSO (MIT Report on Future of Natural Gas) and ALSO (The Tyee) Proposed Legislation S. 559 HR 1687 and MORE (Senator Maria Cantwell on new version of this legislation)
[...] of fuel resources such as biomass, electricity, hydrogen and natural gas. READ MORE and MORE and MORE (both Advanced Biofuels [...]