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The Pros & Cons of Biofuel Energy

Any form of alternative energy -- assuming it is cleaner than present-day fossil fuels -- is on the table for tomorrow's solution to our energy problems. Cleaner than fossil fuels, biofuel has the added advantage of being a renewable source of energy. Shifting to biofuel as the central focus of today's energy infrastructure, however, may not be the perfect solution for ending dependency on fossil fuels. Cars and machinery might easily run on biofuels, but resources for production pose a trickier problem.

  1. Reducing Pollutants -- Carbon Dioxide vs. Nitrogen Oxide

    • Fossil fuels release massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other polluting gases that poison the atmosphere and cause depletion of the ozone layer. Biofuels -- a carbon-neutral source -- emit minimal amounts of carbon dioxide, which are easily absorbed by plants. Using organic, agricultural and other waste products as biomass for processing biofuel reduces pollution.

      Bio-fuels do emit potentially significant amounts of nitrogen-oxide, contributing to smog and the formation of formaldehyde in the air -- potentially affecting those with respiratory illnesses pr compromised immune systems.

    Importation vs. Local Production

    • Transportation and import taxes add to the cost of fossil fuels. As with other imported goods, countries must compete and negotiate for the resource. Biofuel can be produced locally -- doing away with the hassles of importation, eliminating transportation costs or delivery pipelines common in the petroleum industry.

    The Cost of Producing Biofuel

    • Presently collecting, transporting and processing biomass for biofuel is costlier than extracting fossil fuels. Biomass -- when directly burned as fuel -- also releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Converting biomass to alcohol or methane, for minimizing carbon dioxide emissions, adds cost to biofuel production.

    Renewable Sources vs. Competing for Resources

    • Produced from crops that can be harvested, replanted and harvested again, biomass -- from which biofuel is processed -- serves as a renewable resource. The downside is using plant biomass for fuel can have serious implications on a country's food supply. Replacing small percentages of diesel and gasoline consumption with biofuel requires diverting disproportionately large percentages of crop production. Increasing agricultural production to accommodate biofuel processing will not only require more land but more water resources as well.

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