The U.S. EPA is seeking comments on its analysis of upstream greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the production of sugarbeets for use as a biofuel feedstock.
The agency’s notice considers a scenario in which non-cellulosic beet sugar is extracted for conversion to biofuel, while the remaining beet pulp is used an animal feed coproduct. Depending on the type and efficiency of the fuel production process technology used, the EPA said it anticipates biofuels produced from sugarbeets could qualify as either renewable fuel or advanced biofuel. A 30-day comment period will officially open following publication of the analysis in the Federal Register.
Within its notice, the EPA notes it received petitions from Green Vision Group, Tracy Renewable Energy and Plant Sensory Systems requesting that it evaluate the GHG emissions associated with biofuels produced using sugarbeets as feedstock.
The notice focuses on the EPA’s analysis of the GHG emissions associated with feedstock production and feedstock transportation associated with sugarbeets when used to produce biofuel, including significant indirect impacts. Overall, the EPA estimates the GHG emissions associated with the production and transportation of sugarbeets for use as a biofuel feedstock are approximately 45 kilograms of CO2-equivalent per wet short ton.
The largest region for sugarbeet production in the U.S. is the Red River Valley of western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. In total, the crop is grown at agricultural scale across five regions of the country, including 11 states. Since the mid-1990s, sugarbeets have accounted for approximately 55 percent of U.S. sugar production.
Source: ethanolproducer.com