Did U Know?

  • Common U.S. agricultural products specifically grown for biofuel production include switchgrass and soybeans.
  • Can you really drive a car off grass instead of gas? Yes! Switch grass is a common, warm-season grass that can be an environmentally friendly biofuel and alternative to traditional gasoline. How cool is that!
  • Humans have used biomass fuels for heating and cooking since the discovery of fire.
  • Biofuel is any liquid fuel derived from biological material such as trees, agricultural wastes, crops, or even grass.
  • Biofuel can be produced from any carbon source that can be replenished rapidly, such as plants.
  • Biomass refers to living and recently dead biological matter that can be used as fuel or for industrial production.
  • Biofuel is considered a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security by providing an alternative to fossil fuels.
  • Biofuels are used globally and biofuel industries are greatly expanding in Europe, Asia and in North and South America.
  • Biofuels contain no sulfur and produce low carbon monoxide and toxic emissions.
  • Americans are using 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually, which equates to 21,000 barrels of oil DAILY to produce them.
  • A car that gets 20 miles per gallon will emit about 50 tons of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. A car getting 40 mpg will emit half that amount.
  • Over the average lifetime of an American car, a 40-mpg car will save roughly $3,000 in fuel costs compared with a 20-mpg car.

 

Researchers are working hard to find new green solutions to our country's growing energy needs. Find out more. Check out our new Researcher's Page.