Bioenergy in the United States: progress and possibilities

Concerns about global climate change and air quality have increased interes t in biomass and other energy sources that are potentially COz-neutral and less polluting. Large-scale bioenergy development could indeed bring signif icant ecological benefits - or equally significant damage - depending on th e specific paths taken. In particular, the land requirements for biomass pr oduction are potentially immense. Various entities in the United States have performed research; prepared cos t-supply assessments, environmental impact assessments, life cycle analyses and externality impact assessments; and engaged in demonstration and devel opment regarding biomass crops and other potential biomass energy feedstock s. These efforts have focused on various biomass wastes, forest management issues, and biomass crops, including both perennial herbaceous crops and fa st-growing woody crops. Simultaneously, several regional and national group s of bioenergy stakeholders have issued consensus recommendations and guide lines for sustainable bioenergy development. It is a consistent conclusion from these efforts that displacing annual agr icultural crops with native perennial biomass crops could - in addition to reducing fossil fuel use and ameliorating associated ecological problems al so help restore natural ecosystem functions in worked landscapes, and there by preserve natural biodiversity. Conversely, if forests are managed and harvested more intensively - and/or if biomass crops displace more natural land cover such as forests and wetla nds - it is likely that ecosystem functions would be impaired and biodivers ity lost. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.