Nilsestuen to Lead New 12-State Ag Bioeconomy Consortium
Together the institutions from the NCBEC states aim to help guide the transition to greater use of bio-based fuels and products. Participating states include Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota.
"Wisconsin, along with the 11 other states, has the potential to produce half to two-thirds of the nation's perennial bioenergy crops and crop residues, casting the region into the national spotlight as the U.S. congress considers federal farm policy," Nilsestuen says. "Our state joining with this 12-state North Central Bioeconomy Consortium stands ready to help Wisconsin and the U.S. reach, and possibly exceed the 25 X 25 renewable energy goals."
Wisconsin has almost 15 million tons of potential excess biomass that could produce 1.3 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year and could displace half of the 2.6 billion gallons of gasoline Wisconsin consumed last year. This is in addition to the state's 252 million gallons of current corn ethanol production. If burned, this excess biomass could replace 15 million tons of coal, equivalent to 56% of Wisconsin's total coal use, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
"These numbers demonstrate the diversity of Wisconsin biomass opportunities and would be the envy of any other state in the U.S.," said Nilsestuen.
The NCBEC recently submitted summary work to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson documenting the 12-state North Central region's achievements and potential in leading the transition to greater use of bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts.
The report also shows that Wisconsin ranks the highest in the region for potentially using biomass to energy from mill waste, second behind Michigan in forest residues and fourth in methane of landfills.
