As Congress debates
alternative fuels, growers
anxious to turn land into
major biofuels production
source
The lame duck session of Congress is debating whether to extend subsidies for alternative energy research and production, particularly for corn-based ethanol, but there's little debate among U.S. farmers on whether to grow crops for energy use.
A recent survey by Ceres, a company that develops energy crops, found that more than 70 percent of U.S. growers are interested in using under-utilized land for switchgrass, sorghum, miscanthus and other crops that can be turned into energy sources.
According to the Ceres survey, energy crops appeal to growers because they permit better utilization of under-performing land and assure a reliable supply of long-term contracts.
Biofuels made from dedicated energy crops have half the carbon emissions of corn ethanol or palm oil biodiesel. "Energy crops" are considered crops that cannot be used for food.
The 2009 stimulus bill included $3.4 billion for research into biofuels as well as building cellulosic biofuel refineries.
Ceres says that among growers it surveyed, more than 70 percent would be interested in growing energy crops under contract and nearly 50 percent would plan to have at least 50 percent of their acreage in long-term contracts.
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