Simulated impact of the renewable fuels standard on US Conservation Reserve Program enrollment and conversion
- Agricultural Policy Analysis Center University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996 USA
- National Center for Environmental Assessment US EPA Mail Code: 8601‐P,1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC 20460 USA
- Environmental Science Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN USA
Abstract A socioeconomic model is used to estimate the land‐use implications on the U.S. Conservation Reserve Program from potential increases in second‐generation biofuel production. A baseline scenario with no second‐generation biofuel production is compared to a scenario where the Renewable Fuels Standard ( RFS 2) volumes are met by 2022. We allow for the possibility of converting expiring CRP lands to alternative uses such as conventional crops, dedicated second‐generation biofuel crops, or harvesting existing CRP grasses for biomass. Results indicate that RFS 2 volumes ( RFS 2‐v) can be met primarily with crop residues (78% of feedstock demand) and woody residues (19% of feedstock demand) compared with dedicated biomass (3% of feedstock demand), with only minimal conversion of cropland (0.27 million hectares, <1% of total cropland), pastureland (0.28 million hectares of pastureland, <1% of total pastureland), and CRP lands (0.29 million hectares of CRP lands, 3% of existing CRP lands) to biomass production. Meeting RFS 2 volumes would reduce CRP re‐enrollment by 0.19 million hectares, or 4%, below the baseline scenario where RFS 2 is not met. Yet under RFS 2‐v scenario, expiring CRP lands are more likely to be converted to or maintain perennial cover, with 1.78 million hectares of CRP lands converting to hay production, and 0.29 million hectares being harvested for existing grasses. A small amount of CRP is harvested for existing biomass, but no conversion of CRP to dedicated biomass crops, such as switchgrass, are projected to occur. Although less land is enrolled in CRP under RFS 2‐v scenario, total land in perennial cover increases by 0.15 million hectares, or 2%, under RFS 2‐v. Sensitivity to yield, payment and residue retention assumptions are evaluated.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725; EP-13-H-000183/0001
- OSTI ID:
- 1234762
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1261500; OSTI ID: 1345703
- Journal Information:
- Global Change Biology. Bioenergy, Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Vol. 8 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 1757-1693
- Publisher:
- Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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