ABSTRACT

Energy from the conversion of wood and other plant matter represents an important underexploited resource in the United States. As renewable, abundant, and domestic energy resources, these and other sources of biomass can help the United States reduce its dependence on imported oil. Biomass conversion to alcohol is the only source of liquid fuels for transportation from solar energy that uses available technology. The potential damages from biomass energy development include substantial increases in soil erosion and in sedimentation of rivers and lakes and subsequent damage to land and water resources, adverse changes in or loss of important ecosystems, degradation of esthetic and recreational values, local air and water pollution problems, and occupational hazards. Biomass has the potential to be an energy source that has few significant environmental problems and some important environmental benefits. For a number of reasons, a vigorous expansion of bioenergy may cause serious environmental damage because of poorly managed feedstock supplies and inadequately controlled conversion technologies.