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Report sees need for 500 more biofuels plants

June 25, 2010, Washington — More than 500 new biorefineries will be needed around the United States to meet the nation’s goal of tripling biofuel consumption by 2022, according to a government study.

The Agriculture Department estimates in the report that the plants would cost about $168 billion, a price tag the USDA termed substantial.

There are about 200 corn ethanol plants now in operation nationwide. A 2007 law required that refiners use 36 billion gallons of biofuels by 2022, with all but 15 billion gallons coming from sources other than corn. Meeting that target will require building facilities that can convert a wide range of new biofuel feedstocks, including crop residue, forest thinnings, municipal waste, perennial grasses and other sources of cellulose. | READ MORE