EPA seeks public comments on sugarbeet GHG LCA for ethanol feedstock

In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting comment on its analysis of the upstream greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the production of Beta vulgaris ssp. Vulgaris (sugar beets) for use as a biofuel feedstock. This notice describes EPA’s greenhouse gas analysis of sugar beets produced for use as a biofuel feedstock, and describes how EPA may apply this analysis in the future to determine whether biofuels produced from sugar beets meet the necessary greenhouse gas reduction threshold required for qualification as renewable fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard program. This notice considers a scenario in which non-cellulosic beet sugar is extracted for conversion to biofuel and the remaining beet pulp co-product is used as animal feed.

Based on this analysis, they anticipate that biofuels produced from sugar beets could qualify as renewable fuel or advanced biofuel, depending on the type and efficiency of the fuel production process technology used. The notice is awaiting publication in the Federal Register after which the comment period will be open for 30 days.