Handbook of Cellulosic Ethanol
Renewable Fuel Standards of Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
The United States renewable fuel standards of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is used as a guideline for the future of renewable energy [25]. The stated purpose of the Act is "to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes." The bill originally sought to cut subsidies to the petroleum industry in order to promote petroleum independence and different forms of alternative energy. These tax changes were ultimately dropped after opposition in the Senate, and the final bill focused on automobile fuel economy, development of biofuels, and energy efficiency in public buildings and lighting. This 2007 bill outlined the US targets for advanced non-cellulosic biofuel and cellulosic biofuels. These original targets in the Renewable Fuel Standards of Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 are shown in Table 1.3 [25].
According to the expectations of this Act, conventional biofuels such as corn ethanol are expected to grow till 2015, and remain constant at a production level of 15.0 billion gallons per year, whereas, cellulosic biofuels are expected to grow continuously in the projected period till 2022.
