Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels

Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels

Author: Kelsi Bracmort

Publisher:

Published: 2011-07-17

Total Pages: 18

ISBN-13: 9781437959482

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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140) in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over a 15-year period, the RFS seeks to establish a market for biofuels in the transportation sector by requiring that increasing amounts of biofuels 36 billion gallons by 2022 be blended into transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished with an assortment of advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes. However, analysis suggested the U.S. did not have sufficient cellulosic biofuel production capacity to meet the 2010 and 2011 RFS mandate instituted by Congress in EISA, and this is likely to continue for the 2012 mandate. Contents of this report: Introduction; What Are Cellulosic Biofuels?; What Is the Relationship Between Cellulosic Biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard?; What Challenges Are Associated with Cellulosic Biofuels Production?; Was the Revised 2010 RFS Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels Met?; Will the 2011 Cellulosic Biofuel Mandate Be Met?; What Impact Will Significantly Lowering the 2010, 2011, and 2012 RFS Mandates Have on Investment in Cellulosic Biofuel Production?; How Much Cellulosic Feedstock Exists for Conversion to Biofuels?; How Many Commercial Cellulosic Biofuel Plants Exist?; What Policy Options Are Available to Meet the Congressionally Mandated RFS for Cellulosic Biofuels? Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.


Book Synopsis Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels by : Kelsi Bracmort

Download or read book Meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels written by Kelsi Bracmort and published by . This book was released on 2011-07-17 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140) in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over a 15-year period, the RFS seeks to establish a market for biofuels in the transportation sector by requiring that increasing amounts of biofuels 36 billion gallons by 2022 be blended into transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished with an assortment of advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes. However, analysis suggested the U.S. did not have sufficient cellulosic biofuel production capacity to meet the 2010 and 2011 RFS mandate instituted by Congress in EISA, and this is likely to continue for the 2012 mandate. Contents of this report: Introduction; What Are Cellulosic Biofuels?; What Is the Relationship Between Cellulosic Biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard?; What Challenges Are Associated with Cellulosic Biofuels Production?; Was the Revised 2010 RFS Mandate for Cellulosic Biofuels Met?; Will the 2011 Cellulosic Biofuel Mandate Be Met?; What Impact Will Significantly Lowering the 2010, 2011, and 2012 RFS Mandates Have on Investment in Cellulosic Biofuel Production?; How Much Cellulosic Feedstock Exists for Conversion to Biofuels?; How Many Commercial Cellulosic Biofuel Plants Exist?; What Policy Options Are Available to Meet the Congressionally Mandated RFS for Cellulosic Biofuels? Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Author: Randy Schnepf

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2011-05

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 1437942520

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Federal policy has played a key role in the emergence of the U.S. biofuels industry. Policy measures include minimum renewable fuel usage requirements, blending and production tax credits, an import tariff, loans, and research grants. This report focuses on the mandated minimum usage requirements, the RFS, whereby a minimum volume of biofuels is to be used in the national transport. fuel supply each year. It describes the general nature of the RFS mandate and its implementation, and outlines some emerging issues related to the sustainability of the continued growth in U.S. biofuels production needed to fulfill the expanding RFS mandate, as well as the emergence of potential unintended consequences of this rapid expansion. A print on demand report.


Book Synopsis Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by : Randy Schnepf

Download or read book Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) written by Randy Schnepf and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2011-05 with total page 33 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Federal policy has played a key role in the emergence of the U.S. biofuels industry. Policy measures include minimum renewable fuel usage requirements, blending and production tax credits, an import tariff, loans, and research grants. This report focuses on the mandated minimum usage requirements, the RFS, whereby a minimum volume of biofuels is to be used in the national transport. fuel supply each year. It describes the general nature of the RFS mandate and its implementation, and outlines some emerging issues related to the sustainability of the continued growth in U.S. biofuels production needed to fulfill the expanding RFS mandate, as well as the emergence of potential unintended consequences of this rapid expansion. A print on demand report.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (Rfs)

The Renewable Fuel Standard (Rfs)

Author: Congressional Research Congressional Research Service

Publisher: CreateSpace

Published: 2015-01-14

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13: 9781507735596

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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05, P.L. 109-58), and was later expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140), in accordance with efforts at that time to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over 15 years, the RFS requires that increasing amounts of biofuels-36 billion gallons by 2022-be used in transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished in part with advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels-fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes-which would increase over time to comprise some 44% of the RFS in 2022. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set the annual standard (i.e., usage requirement) for cellulosic biofuels under the RFS if the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production is less than the volume specified in the statute (i.e., the mandate). Under this circumstance, EPA can lower the annual cellulosic biofuels standard to the volume expected to be available for that year. If EPA lowers the standard for a given year, it is required to do so by November 30 of the preceding year. EPA concluded that the nation lacked sufficient production capacity to meet the RFS cellulosic biofuels mandate each year from 2010 to 2014. In 2010, EPA reduced the mandate from the statutory volume of 100 million gallons to 6.5 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, in 2011 from 250 million gallons to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, in 2012 from 500 million gallons to 10.45 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and in 2013 from 1 billion gallons to 810,185 ethanol-equivalent gallons. EPA proposes to lower the 2014 mandate from 1.75 billion gallons to 17 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and to rescind the 2011 cellulosic biofuel standard. The 2010-2012 reduced mandates were not met by actual cellulosic biofuel production, which EPA reports was limited. Instead, these mandates were largely met with waiver credits. EPA announced in November 2014 that the 2013 compliance deadline will take place in 2015, and that it intends to finalize the 2014 standard in 2015. This delay-which is a year past the statutory deadline-raises significant uncertainty for biofuel producers, feedstock growers, and refiners. For years, actual cellulosic biofuel production has significantly fallen short of the RFS mandates. However, there were noteworthy occurrences in 2014 for the industry, including the opening of three commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa and Kansas with a combined production capacity of up to 52 million gallons per year. There was also the November 2014 bankruptcy filing by the company KiOR, which commenced operations of the first commercial-scale cellulosic fuel facility in 2012 in Mississippi.


Book Synopsis The Renewable Fuel Standard (Rfs) by : Congressional Research Congressional Research Service

Download or read book The Renewable Fuel Standard (Rfs) written by Congressional Research Congressional Research Service and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-01-14 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05, P.L. 109-58), and was later expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140), in accordance with efforts at that time to reduce dependence on foreign oil, promote biofuel use, and stabilize transportation fuel prices, among other goals. Over 15 years, the RFS requires that increasing amounts of biofuels-36 billion gallons by 2022-be used in transportation fuel. The mandate is to be accomplished in part with advanced biofuels, including cellulosic biofuels-fuels produced from cellulosic materials including grasses, trees, and agricultural and municipal wastes-which would increase over time to comprise some 44% of the RFS in 2022. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set the annual standard (i.e., usage requirement) for cellulosic biofuels under the RFS if the projected volume of cellulosic biofuel production is less than the volume specified in the statute (i.e., the mandate). Under this circumstance, EPA can lower the annual cellulosic biofuels standard to the volume expected to be available for that year. If EPA lowers the standard for a given year, it is required to do so by November 30 of the preceding year. EPA concluded that the nation lacked sufficient production capacity to meet the RFS cellulosic biofuels mandate each year from 2010 to 2014. In 2010, EPA reduced the mandate from the statutory volume of 100 million gallons to 6.5 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, in 2011 from 250 million gallons to 6.0 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, in 2012 from 500 million gallons to 10.45 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and in 2013 from 1 billion gallons to 810,185 ethanol-equivalent gallons. EPA proposes to lower the 2014 mandate from 1.75 billion gallons to 17 million ethanol-equivalent gallons, and to rescind the 2011 cellulosic biofuel standard. The 2010-2012 reduced mandates were not met by actual cellulosic biofuel production, which EPA reports was limited. Instead, these mandates were largely met with waiver credits. EPA announced in November 2014 that the 2013 compliance deadline will take place in 2015, and that it intends to finalize the 2014 standard in 2015. This delay-which is a year past the statutory deadline-raises significant uncertainty for biofuel producers, feedstock growers, and refiners. For years, actual cellulosic biofuel production has significantly fallen short of the RFS mandates. However, there were noteworthy occurrences in 2014 for the industry, including the opening of three commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa and Kansas with a combined production capacity of up to 52 million gallons per year. There was also the November 2014 bankruptcy filing by the company KiOR, which commenced operations of the first commercial-scale cellulosic fuel facility in 2012 in Mississippi.

Renewable Fuel Standard

Renewable Fuel Standard

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2012-01-29

Total Pages: 416

ISBN-13: 0309187516

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In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels. Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate. Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report.


Book Synopsis Renewable Fuel Standard by : National Research Council

Download or read book Renewable Fuel Standard written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2012-01-29 with total page 416 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the United States, we have come to depend on plentiful and inexpensive energy to support our economy and lifestyles. In recent years, many questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of our current pattern of high consumption of nonrenewable energy and its environmental consequences. Further, because the United States imports about 55 percent of the nation's consumption of crude oil, there are additional concerns about the security of supply. Hence, efforts are being made to find alternatives to our current pathway, including greater energy efficiency and use of energy sources that could lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as nuclear and renewable sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. The United States has a long history with biofuels and the nation is on a course charted to achieve a substantial increase in biofuels. Renewable Fuel Standard evaluates the economic and environmental consequences of increasing biofuels production as a result of Renewable Fuels Standard, as amended by EISA (RFS2). The report describes biofuels produced in 2010 and those projected to be produced and consumed by 2022, reviews model projections and other estimates of the relative impact on the prices of land, and discusses the potential environmental harm and benefits of biofuels production and the barriers to achieving the RFS2 consumption mandate. Policy makers, investors, leaders in the transportation sector, and others with concerns for the environment, economy, and energy security can rely on the recommendations provided in this report.

Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress

Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress

Author:

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published:

Total Pages: 27

ISBN-13: 1437981151

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Book Synopsis Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress by :

Download or read book Cellulosic Biofuels: Analysis of Policy Issues for Congress written by and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on with total page 27 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Renewable Fuel Standard, Program Unlikely to Meet Its Targets for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Renewable Fuel Standard, Program Unlikely to Meet Its Targets for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Author: United States. Government Accountability Office

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-07-19

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9781973715382

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"The RFS generally mandates that domestic transportation fuels be blended with increasing volumes of biofuels through 2022, with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding the nation's renewable fuels sector while reducing reliance on imported oil. Annual targets for the volumes of biofuels to be blended are set by statute. EPA oversees the program and is responsible for adjusting the statutory targets through 2022 to reflect expected U.S. industry production levels, among other factors, and for setting biofuel volume targets after 2022. Biofuels included in the RFS are conventional (primarily corn-starch ethanol) as well as various advanced biofuels (including cellulosic ethanol and biomass-based diesel). Advanced biofuels emit fewer greenhouse gases than petroleum and corn-starch ethanol.GAO was asked to review challenges to the RFS and their possible solutions. This report provides information on whether the RFS is expected to meet its goals, as well as expert views on any federal actions that could improve the RFS framework, among other things. GAO worked with the National Academy of Sciences to identify experts on issues related to the RFS. GAO interviewed these experts and analyzed their responses. This report also drew on published studies, and a companion report, GAO-17-108, that examined federal research and"


Book Synopsis Renewable Fuel Standard, Program Unlikely to Meet Its Targets for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by : United States. Government Accountability Office

Download or read book Renewable Fuel Standard, Program Unlikely to Meet Its Targets for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions written by United States. Government Accountability Office and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-07-19 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The RFS generally mandates that domestic transportation fuels be blended with increasing volumes of biofuels through 2022, with the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding the nation's renewable fuels sector while reducing reliance on imported oil. Annual targets for the volumes of biofuels to be blended are set by statute. EPA oversees the program and is responsible for adjusting the statutory targets through 2022 to reflect expected U.S. industry production levels, among other factors, and for setting biofuel volume targets after 2022. Biofuels included in the RFS are conventional (primarily corn-starch ethanol) as well as various advanced biofuels (including cellulosic ethanol and biomass-based diesel). Advanced biofuels emit fewer greenhouse gases than petroleum and corn-starch ethanol.GAO was asked to review challenges to the RFS and their possible solutions. This report provides information on whether the RFS is expected to meet its goals, as well as expert views on any federal actions that could improve the RFS framework, among other things. GAO worked with the National Academy of Sciences to identify experts on issues related to the RFS. GAO interviewed these experts and analyzed their responses. This report also drew on published studies, and a companion report, GAO-17-108, that examined federal research and"

The Renewable Fuel Standard

The Renewable Fuel Standard

Author: Terry Dinan

Publisher:

Published: 2014-08-02

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 9781457856204

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The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) establishes minimum volumes of various types of renewable fuels that must be included in the U.S.'s supply of fuel for transportation. Those volumes -- as defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) -- are intended to grow each year through 2022. Recently, the requirements of the RFS have been met largely by blending gasoline with ethanol made from cornstarch. In the future, EISA requires the use of increasingly large amounts of "advanced biofuels," which include diesel made from biomass (such as soybean oil or animal fat), ethanol made from sugarcane, and cellulosic biofuels (made from converting the cellulose in plant materials into fuel). A main goal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Policymakers and analysts have raised concerns about the RFS, particularly about the feasibility of complying with the standard, whether it will increase prices for food and transportation fuels, and whether it will lead to the intended reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis evaluates how much the supply of various types of renewable fuels would have to increase over the next several years to comply with the RFS. It also examines how food prices, fuel prices, and emissions would vary in an illustrative year, 2017, under three scenarios for the Renewable Fuel Standard. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.


Book Synopsis The Renewable Fuel Standard by : Terry Dinan

Download or read book The Renewable Fuel Standard written by Terry Dinan and published by . This book was released on 2014-08-02 with total page 38 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) establishes minimum volumes of various types of renewable fuels that must be included in the U.S.'s supply of fuel for transportation. Those volumes -- as defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) -- are intended to grow each year through 2022. Recently, the requirements of the RFS have been met largely by blending gasoline with ethanol made from cornstarch. In the future, EISA requires the use of increasingly large amounts of "advanced biofuels," which include diesel made from biomass (such as soybean oil or animal fat), ethanol made from sugarcane, and cellulosic biofuels (made from converting the cellulose in plant materials into fuel). A main goal of the Renewable Fuel Standard is to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Policymakers and analysts have raised concerns about the RFS, particularly about the feasibility of complying with the standard, whether it will increase prices for food and transportation fuels, and whether it will lead to the intended reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis evaluates how much the supply of various types of renewable fuels would have to increase over the next several years to comply with the RFS. It also examines how food prices, fuel prices, and emissions would vary in an illustrative year, 2017, under three scenarios for the Renewable Fuel Standard. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Hearing to Review Renewable Fuels Standard Implementation and Agriculture Producer Eligibility

Hearing to Review Renewable Fuels Standard Implementation and Agriculture Producer Eligibility

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Agriculture. Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Hearing to Review Renewable Fuels Standard Implementation and Agriculture Producer Eligibility by : United States. Congress. House. Committee on Agriculture. Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research

Download or read book Hearing to Review Renewable Fuels Standard Implementation and Agriculture Producer Eligibility written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Agriculture. Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Agriculture-based Biofuels

Agriculture-based Biofuels

Author: Randy Schnepf

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 1437942199

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Book Synopsis Agriculture-based Biofuels by : Randy Schnepf

Download or read book Agriculture-based Biofuels written by Randy Schnepf and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2010 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Cellulosic Biofuels

Cellulosic Biofuels

Author: Tom Capehart

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 26

ISBN-13:

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Cellulosic biofuels are produced from cellulose derived from renewable biomass. They are thought by many to hold the key to increased benefits from renewable biofuels because they are made from low-cost, diverse, non-food feedstocks. Cellulosic biofuels could also potentially decrease the fossil energy required to produce ethanol, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Cellulosic biofuels are produced on a very small scale at this time -- significant hurdles must be overcome before commercial-scale production can occur. The renewable fuels standard (RFS), a major federal incentive, mandates 100 million gallons per year (mgpy) of cellulosic biofuels use in 2010. After 2015, most of the increase in the RFS is intended to come from cellulosic biofuels, and by 2022, the mandate for cellulosic biofuels will be 16 billion gallons. Whether these targets can be met is uncertain. Research is ongoing, and the cellulosic biofuels industry may be on the verge of rapid expansion and technical breakthroughs. However, at this time, only two small refineries are scheduled to begin production in 2009, and an additional nine are expected to commence production by 2011 for total output of 300 mgpy per year, compared with an RFS requirement of 500 mgpy in 2012. The federal government, recognizing the risk inherent in commercializing this new technology, has provided loan guarantees, grants, and tax credits in an effort to make the industry competitive by 2012. In particular, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 farm bill, P.L. 110-246) supports the nascent cellulosic industry through authorized research programs, grants, and loans exceeding $1 billion. The enacted farm bill also contains a production tax credit of $1.01 per gallon for ethanol produced from cellulosic feedstocks. Private investment, in many cases by oil companies, also plays a major role in cellulosic biofuels research and development. Three challenges must be overcome if the RFS is to be met. First, cellulosic feedstocks must be available in large volumes when needed by refineries. Second, the cost of converting cellulose to ethanol or other biofuels must be reduced to a level to make it competitive with gasoline and corn-starch ethanol. Third, the marketing, distribution, and vehicle infrastructure must absorb the increasing volumes of renewable fuel, including cellulosic fuel mandated by the RFS. Congress will continue to face questions about the appropriate level of intervention in the cellulosic industry as it debates both the risks in trying to pick the winning technology and the benefits of providing start-up incentives. The current tax credit for cellulosic biofuels expires in 2012, but its extension may be considered during the 111th Congress. Congress may continue to debate the role of biofuels in food price inflation and whether cellulosic biofuels can alleviate its impacts. Recent congressional action on cellulosic biofuels has focused on the definition of renewable biomass eligible for the RFS, which is considered by some to be overly restrictive. To this end, legislation has been introduced to expand the definition of renewable biomass eligible under the RFS.


Book Synopsis Cellulosic Biofuels by : Tom Capehart

Download or read book Cellulosic Biofuels written by Tom Capehart and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cellulosic biofuels are produced from cellulose derived from renewable biomass. They are thought by many to hold the key to increased benefits from renewable biofuels because they are made from low-cost, diverse, non-food feedstocks. Cellulosic biofuels could also potentially decrease the fossil energy required to produce ethanol, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Cellulosic biofuels are produced on a very small scale at this time -- significant hurdles must be overcome before commercial-scale production can occur. The renewable fuels standard (RFS), a major federal incentive, mandates 100 million gallons per year (mgpy) of cellulosic biofuels use in 2010. After 2015, most of the increase in the RFS is intended to come from cellulosic biofuels, and by 2022, the mandate for cellulosic biofuels will be 16 billion gallons. Whether these targets can be met is uncertain. Research is ongoing, and the cellulosic biofuels industry may be on the verge of rapid expansion and technical breakthroughs. However, at this time, only two small refineries are scheduled to begin production in 2009, and an additional nine are expected to commence production by 2011 for total output of 300 mgpy per year, compared with an RFS requirement of 500 mgpy in 2012. The federal government, recognizing the risk inherent in commercializing this new technology, has provided loan guarantees, grants, and tax credits in an effort to make the industry competitive by 2012. In particular, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 farm bill, P.L. 110-246) supports the nascent cellulosic industry through authorized research programs, grants, and loans exceeding $1 billion. The enacted farm bill also contains a production tax credit of $1.01 per gallon for ethanol produced from cellulosic feedstocks. Private investment, in many cases by oil companies, also plays a major role in cellulosic biofuels research and development. Three challenges must be overcome if the RFS is to be met. First, cellulosic feedstocks must be available in large volumes when needed by refineries. Second, the cost of converting cellulose to ethanol or other biofuels must be reduced to a level to make it competitive with gasoline and corn-starch ethanol. Third, the marketing, distribution, and vehicle infrastructure must absorb the increasing volumes of renewable fuel, including cellulosic fuel mandated by the RFS. Congress will continue to face questions about the appropriate level of intervention in the cellulosic industry as it debates both the risks in trying to pick the winning technology and the benefits of providing start-up incentives. The current tax credit for cellulosic biofuels expires in 2012, but its extension may be considered during the 111th Congress. Congress may continue to debate the role of biofuels in food price inflation and whether cellulosic biofuels can alleviate its impacts. Recent congressional action on cellulosic biofuels has focused on the definition of renewable biomass eligible for the RFS, which is considered by some to be overly restrictive. To this end, legislation has been introduced to expand the definition of renewable biomass eligible under the RFS.