Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation : Vol. 26, No. 2, p. 367-434 : Defining Biomass as a Source of Renewable Energy: The Life Cycle Carbon Emissions of Biomass Energy and a Survey and Analysis of Biomass Definitions in States’ Renewable Portfolio Standards, Federal Law, and Proposed Legislation
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Date
2011
Authors
Zeller-Powell, Christine Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon School of Law
Abstract
Electricity generated from woody biomass material is generally
considered renewable energy and carbon neutral. However, this has
recently been criticized by scientists, who argue that the greenhouse
gas (GHG) emission profile of bioenergy is nuanced and the carbon
neutral label is inappropriate. An initial carbon debt is created when a
forest is harvested and combusted for bioenergy. Because forests
regrow over a period of years, life cycle analyses show that bioenergy
generated from whole trees from forests may not reduce GHG
emissions in the short term, as is required to combat climate change.
State renewable portfolio standards and federal laws and proposed
legislation designed to incentivize renewable energy typically define
eligible forms of biomass that qualify for these incentives. Most of these definitions are very broad and do not account for GHG
emissions from bioenergy. Federal and state laws should incorporate
life cycle analyses into definitions of eligible biomass so that these
laws incentivize biomass electricity that reduces GHG emissions in
the next several decades.
Description
68 pages
Keywords
Biomass energy
Citation
26 J. ENVTL. L. & LITIG. 367 (2011)