Better Biofuels (Issue 35.2)

A discussion with REAP rep Stephanie Bailey about how to comparison shop the many biofuels alternatives.

Download file

Imagine you have to buy gas for your car.

At one station down the street, the sign offers "1.3 liters per $1".
Another though is offering "5 liters per $1" Which would you choose?

Well, with Bill C-33 it appears the Government of Canada has opted for the former, the Less Bang For Our Tax Buck option. Because that 1.3 to 1 is the Energy Return on Investment of the corn ethanol gas additive Bill C-33 mandates. Ethanol made from switchgrass on the other hand has an EROI of between 4.4 and 6.1 to 1.

EROI is one of the four measures that Resource Efficient Agrcultural Productuion Canada has proposed as a way of making better biofuels funding decisions.

Give a listen to learn more about the other measures, which renewable energies really make sense. And what the heck is switchgrass anyway?