Next-Generation Biofuels - Penn State Institutes of Energy and the ...

14 NEXT-GENERATION BIOFUELS
The Chesapeake
Cellulosic
Biofuels Project:
A Grand Vision
I
n accepting its charge from Governor Rendell and the
Chesapeake Bay Commission to make the Chesapeake
region a leader in sustainable next-generation energy,
the Biofuels Advisory Panel developed the following vision
statement:
The Chesapeake Bay region will lead the
nation in the evolution of sustainable
cellulosic and advanced biofuel production.
The words of this statement were chosen carefully.
First, “evolution” recognizes that next-generation biofuels
are not possible without the utilization of first-generation
technologies. Specifically, the Advisory Panel recognized
that corn ethanol is a necessary national foundation for
the development of infrastructure and markets that will
make next-generation technologies commercially viable
(see Sidebar, page 15).
Second, “sustainable” refers to environmental,
economic, and social factors and has been defined by the
Advisory Panel to include practices that result in:
■ The reduction in nutrient and sediment loadings to
the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers;
■ Net energy benefits;
■ Net greenhouse gas reductions, both direct and indirect;
■ Neutrality or benefits with respect to food security
and cost;
■ Net social and economic benefit to affected local
communities; and
■ No net loss of biodiversity and natural resources,
including both water quality and quantity.
Third, the reference to “cellulosic and advanced
biofuel” highlights the unique potential cellulosic biomass
presents to the region, but encourages a flexible approach
to policymaking that is favorable to the development of
multiple next-generation biofuels.
To achieve its vision, the Advisory Panel adopted a
guiding principle and set of objectives which was used to
inform all subsequent panel decisions (Sidebar, page 17).
The Listening Sessions
During May 2008, the Advisory Panel of the Chesapeake
Cellulosic Biofuels Project reached out to a diverse collection
of stakeholders, conducting four listening sessions
throughout the Bay watershed. The purpose of the listening
sessions was to provide updates on goals, deliverables
and timelines, and to obtain feedback on the assumptions,