Biofuel Production

Almost all ethanol in the United States is made from corn kernels. Soybeans are the predominant feedstock for biodiesel. Research is underway to develop other feedstocks to make cellulosic ethanol, i.e., corn stover (stalks, leaves, cobs), switchgrass, wood waste, algae. Brazil uses sugarcane to make all its ethanol.

The goal of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act is to reduce the U.S. dependence on imported petroleum by requiring large increases in the amount of biofuels blended into gasoline. By 2022, 20 percent of U.S. gasoline demand could be supplied by the 36 billion gallons of biofuel required under this law. Corn kernels will supply about 15 billion gallons of that total. The resulting increase in corn production could increase water pollution from the additional use of nutrients and pesticides on corn. The process of growing and producing biofuels requires large amounts of water.