Is bioenergy truly renewable?
Bioenergy is considered truly renewable because its source – biomass – is a replenishable resource. Vegetative matter will continue to grow as long as it is planted. Additionally, biomass energy recycles carbon dioxide during the plant photosynthesis process and uses it to make its own food. In comparison to fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, which take millions of years to be produced, biomass is easy to grow, collect, utilize and replace quickly without depleting natural resources. Bioenergy is not only renewable, but is also sustainable. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will decrease dramatically as biofuels of the future are increasingly made from cellulosic feedstocks and as the associated farming, harvesting, transport, and production processes use progressively more clean, renewable energy sources. • U.S. Department of Energy studies show corn ethanol results in 19% fewer GHG emissions, on average, when compared with petroleum. Cellulosic ethanol has the potential to reduc
