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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
confirmed that ethanol made from sugarcane is a low
carbon renewable fuel, which can contribute
significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions. As part of today's announcement
finalizing regulations for the implementation of the
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), the EPA designated
sugarcane ethanol as an advanced biofuel that lowers
GHG emissions by more than 50%.
"The EPA's decision underscores the many
environmental benefits of sugarcane ethanol and
reaffirms how this low carbon, advanced renewable
fuel can help the world mitigate against climate
change while diversifying America's energy resources,"
said Joel Velasco, Chief Representative in
Washington for the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry
Association (UNICA).
Sugarcane ethanol is a renewable fuel refined from
cane that grows typically in tropical climates.
Compared to other types of ethanol available today,
using sugarcane ethanol to power cars and trucks
yields greater reductions in greenhouse gases and is
usually much cheaper for drivers to purchase. Brazil
has replaced more than half of its fuel needs with
sugarcane ethanol - making gasoline the alternative
fuel in that country and ethanol the standard. Many
observers point to sugarcane ethanol as a good
option for diversifying U.S. energy supplies,
increasing healthy competition among biofuel
manufacturers and improving America's energy
security.
The RFS2 will help the United States meet energy
security and greenhouse gas reduction goals sought
by the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007
(EISA). The new regulations establish minimum
biofuels consumption in the U.S. of more than 12
billion gallons (45 billion liters) in 2010, rising
to 36 billion gallons (136 billion liters) in 2022,
of which 21 billion gallons per year would have to
be one of three types of advanced biofuels:
cellulosic, biomass diesel, and "other advanced,"
that meet required GHG reduction thresholds as
determined by the EPA.
Today, EPA affirmed that sugarcane ethanol meets the
"other advanced" category in the RFS2, although with
a GHG reduction level that exceeds the requirement
for all categories as well. Specifically, EPA's
calculations show that sugarcane ethanol from Brazil
reduces GHG emissions compared to gasoline by 61%,
using a 30-year payback for indirect land use change
(iLUC) emissions.
"We are pleased that EPA took the time to improve
the regulations, particularly by more accurately
quantifying the full lifecycle greenhouse emission
reductions of biofuels. EPA's reaffirmation of
sugarcane ethanol's superior GHG reduction confirms
that sustainably-produced biofuels can play a
important role in climate mitigation. Perhaps this
recognition will sway those who have sought to raise
trade barriers against clean energy here in the U.S.
and around the world. Sugarcane ethanol is a first
generation biofuel with third generation performance,"
noted Velasco.
Last year, UNICA submitted
comments to EPA with abundant scientifically
credible evidence showing that - even including
indirect emissions - sugarcane ethanol has a
reduction of GHG emissions of 73-82% compared with
gasoline, on a 30- or 100-year time horizon
respectively. The RFS2 requires the use of at least
4 billion gallons (over 15 billion liters) of "other
advanced" renewable fuels a year by 2022. In 2010,
the RFS requires 200 million gallons of this type of
advanced renewable fuels.
"While we are reviewing the final rule, it is
clear that EPA has incorporated many of the comments
that UNICA and other stakeholders made during the
public process. EPA should be congratulated for the
way it upheld the Obama's goals of transparency and
scientific integrity in the environmental
rulemaking. And we hope that other governments
should take note of the manner that EPA has handled
this process," concluded Velasco.
Brazil is a leader in the production of sugarcane
ethanol, which is widely considered as the most
efficient biofuel available today. In 2009, Brazil
produced over 7 billion gallons of sugarcane
ethanol, most of which is used in Brazil in flex
fuel vehicles. As a result of Brazil's innovative
use of sugarcane ethanol in transportation and
biomass for cogeneration, sugarcane is the leading
source of renewable energy in the nation,
representing 16% of the country's total energy
needs. In fact, gasoline has become the alternative
in Brazil, reducing the country's dependence on
fossil fuels lowering emissions. A recent study in
the November 2009 edition of the journal Energy
Policy indicated that since 1975, over 600
million tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided
thanks to the use of ethanol in Brazil.
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