The National Academic Press just released the report “Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States“. Citing from the summary:

If projected future increases in use of corn for ethanol production do occur, the increase in harm to water quality could be considerable. In addition, expansion of corn production on fragile soils can increase loads of both nutrients and sediments. It is vitally important to pursue policies that prevent an increase in total loadings of nutrients, pesticides, and sediments to waterways. From a water quantity perspective, measures to conserve water and prevent the unsustainable withdrawal of water from depleted aquifers could be critical.

The authors of this report prepared by the National Research Council, express the hope that with the production of celluloisic ethanol, based on for example switchgrass, some of these critical water implications may be reduced. But, this is highly dependent on the location.

I am happy that this very important issue is receiving more attention. The proposal put forward by the administration to significantly increase ethanol production in the States, to 15% of our consumption, is dangerous. Too little research is put into the implications of such a huge increase in production on our soils. Not just with regard to water resources, but also increased contamination in natural water systems, land use management, increased vulnerability because of extensive monocrops, and more.

Final brief (4 pages)

Report summary (12 pages)

Related to this, check out http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119621238761706021.html. A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that biofuels “offer a cure [for oil dependence] that is worse than the disease.” In it, the above study is quoted, as well as a report by the American Lung Association that expressed concern about a form of air pollution from burning ethanol in gasoline.