Environmental Assessment: US Department of Energy's Financial Incentives for Production of 60,000 Barrels Per Dya of Ethanol

摘要

This document is an environmental assessment (EA) of the Department of Energy's Financial Incentives Program for Production of 60,000 barrels per day (B/D) of ethanol for use as a transportation fuel when blended with gasoline. Its purpose is to evaluate all phases of ethanol production and compare program alternatives to ensure that environmental effects are considered at the earliest meaningful point in the decision-making process, to determine the need for a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS), and to provide an information base for the preparation of site-specific EA's and EIS's if these are necessary. Based on the findings of this environmental assessment, it is expected that the production and use of 60,000 B/D of ethanol should produce no major environmental effects. Environmental residuals, health and safety concerns, and institutional issues associated with the conversion, distribution, and end use of ethanol are discussed. (ERA citation 07:004425)