Cellulosic ethanol suffers in down economy

Des Moines Register
By PHILIP BRASHER • pbrasher@dmreg.com • March 25, 2009

Washington, D.C. - The economic downturn that has slowed the ethanol industry also is putting the brakes on the next generation of biofuels.

Making ethanol from plant cellulose - such as crop residue and wood chips - could help reduce the nation's use of gasoline.

Refiners are required by law next year to start using at least 100 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol. But industry officials acknowledge they will not come close to providing enough of the fuel to meet that target or the targets for subsequent years.

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