GAO report explores water impacts of ethanol production, use

examiner.com (Chicago)
December 1, 7:56 PM
Seattle Energy Policy Examiner Jim DiPeso

Water could be a sleeper issue in determining how much and what kinds of biofuel crops are grown as a strategy for reducing oil dependence.

In a report published November 30, the Government Accountability Office said that "next-generation" ethanol feedstocks, such as Pacific Northwest timber slash, could reduce biofuel-related water consumption compared to corn. Not enough is known about the water impacts of relying on such feedstocks, however, because ethanol hasn't been produced from them at a large enough scale, the report said.

Water-stingy agricultural practices and use of non-potable water could reduce stress on fresh water supplies, but there are economic and logistical barriers to adopting such methods, the report said.

Read the full story