Biofuels

Biofuel is broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of or derived from biomass. Biofuels reduce harmful emissions, provide an economic boost for agriculture and rural communities, and improve our energy security.

Currently, the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is focusing its biofuel efforts on transportation fuels. While biofuels alone are not the solution to our transportation challenges, they offer an option. GEO recognizes the role of biofuels, along with hybrid vehicle technologies, improved mass transit and more efficient vehicles in reducing our oil dependency.

Numerous media pieces have raised concerns about biofuels. To learn more about the science behind biofuels read the following:

• New Studies Portray Unbalanced Perspective on Biofuels (PDF 143 KB) - a report from the leading researchers within the US Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and US Department of Agriculture.
• Ethanol Production, Distribution and Use: Discussions on Key Issues (PDF 2.19 MB) - a presentation from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

In addition to the information found in this section, you can also find a biofuels station near you by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative & Advanced Fuels website.