Past UWP Professor Shares Findings on Biofuel Impact

Wisconsin Ag Connection - 10/16/2009

John Simonson, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, has conducted research on the impact of biofuels and found that biofuels' impact is sizable but the recession is devastating.

"The biofuels industry has a sizeable impact on Wisconsin's economy, despite fluctuating petroleum prices and global recession, according to a study by University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Center for Applied Public Policy," said Simonson.

Biofuels include ethanol, produced from corn, and biodiesel, produced largely from soybeans. Simonson said the study found that the recession that began in 2008 had 'devastating effects' on the state's biofuels industry, especially biodiesel production. Some facilities have cut production by as much as half; others have filed for Chapter 11 reorganization or ceased operations entirely.

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