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Weaning Off Corn: Crop Residues and the Transition to Cellulosic Ethanol

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  • Malcolm, Scott A.

Abstract

Recent legislation has set ambitious targets for cellulosic ethanol to be realized in the not-too-distant future. While corn-based ethanol will continue to be the most important supply, its share—but not the quantity—will diminish over time. How agriculture responds to market and environmental challenges will be in large part governed by the evolution and adoption of cellulosic ethanol production technology. One possible scenario is that development of cellulosic production technology occurs more rapidly than expected, before the establishment of alternative cellulosic feedstocks, enabling crop residues to be used in lieu of corn during the transition to dedicated energy crops. This article examines the market and environmental consequences of shifting biofuel production from corn to cellulosic production technology fed by crop residues. Results show that reducing corn required for ethanol by increasing production of crop residue-based cellulosic ethanol shifts crop production and changes tillage and rotation choice. These changes demonstrate mixed effects on key environmental indicators, with benefits and adverse consequences varying regionally.

Suggested Citation

  • Malcolm, Scott A., 2008. "Weaning Off Corn: Crop Residues and the Transition to Cellulosic Ethanol," Environmental and Rural Development Impacts Conference, October 15-16, 2008, St. Louis, Missouri 53500, Farm Foundation, Transition to a Bio Economy Conferences.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:fftren:53500
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.53500
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Xiaoguang & Khanna, Madhu & Onal, Hayri, 2009. "The Economic Potential of Second-Generation Biofuels: Implications for Social Welfare, Land Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Illinois," 2009 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 49484, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Moon, Jin-Young & Apland, Jeffrey & Folle, Solomon & Mulla, David J., 2012. "Environmental Impacts of Cellulosic Feedstock Production: A Case Study of a Cornbelt Aquifer," 2012 Annual Meeting, August 12-14, 2012, Seattle, Washington 125016, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Chen, Xiaoguang & Önal, Hayri, 2016. "Renewable energy policies and competition for biomass: Implications for land use, food prices, and processing industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 270-278.
    4. Mashor Housh & Madhu Khanna & Ximing Cai, 2015. "Mix of First- and Second-Generation Biofuels to Meet Multiple Environmental Objectives: Implications for Policy at a Watershed Scale," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 1(03), pages 1-26.
    5. Chen, Xiaoguang, 2016. "Economic potential of biomass supply from crop residues in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 141-149.
    6. Weiwei Wang, 2022. "Agricultural and Forestry Biomass for Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard: Implications for Land Use and GHG Emissions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Weiwei Wang, 2023. "Integrated Assessment of Economic Supply and Environmental Effects of Biomass Co-Firing in Coal Power Plants: A Case Study of Jiangsu, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-22, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crop Production/Industries;

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