Commentary: Bring California’s Low-Carbon Wisdom to Washington, D.C.

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February 6, 2019

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by Andy Foster (Capital Press/Aemetis Inc.) … With the election behind us and new leadership in the House, it’s time to take another look at the IPCC warnings and examine bipartisan solutions that Congress can work toward — immediately.

High on the list are biofuels, which offer low-cost energy without the need for new fueling infrastructure. The International Energy Agency reports that “modern bioenergy is the overlooked giant within renewable energy.” And the IPCC projects that low-carbon biofuels are essential to any workable path toward a 1.5°C scenario. According to the IPCC, global biofuel consumption must increase from about 2 percent of the global transportation fuel mix in 2020 to more than 14 percent in 2050. Essentially, the whole world must convert to an E15 (15 percent ethanol) fuel blend.

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Research by Argonne National Laboratory shows that advanced biofuels can reduce emissions by 100 percent or more.

Aemetis is currently building a $175 million waste-to-cellulosic ethanol plant in central California that will convert wood waste from almond and walnut orchards into clean-burning biofuel. Using technologies developed at a cost of more than $550 million over more than a decade, the Aemetis plant is designed to remove more carbon from the atmosphere over the complete lifecycle of the biofuel than is emitted during engine combustion. Aemetis “below zero” carbon emissions biofuel will literally help reverse climate change with every mile driven.

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The LCFS has encouraged innovation in California. Now it’s time to push for the same outcomes at the federal level.

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Democrats in Congress have an opportunity to work on a bipartisan basis with rural champions from both parties — and even the White House — to do something great for the climate by ensuring the EPA fulfills congressional intent and enforces the law. READ MORE

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