First Generation Biofuels The northeast region is not known for its vast agricultural resources. Therefore, the region is not normally associated with ethanol and biodiesel production. However, the region can and will produce "first generation" biofuels. For example, an ethanol plant in northern New York is planning to import corn to produce 100 million gallons of ethanol per year. Biodiesel production is also moving to the northeast region. Several biodiesel plants are planning to produce the fuel from recycled cooking oil, locally grown oil seeds such as canola, as well as imported feedstocks. Most people do not realize that canola is grown as a rotational crop in Maine, and mustard seed is a viable crop in the northeast region.  Source: National Biodiesel Board Second Generation Biofuels Second generation biofuels are those produced from next generation feedstocks. Second generation ethanol would be produced from cellulosic materials such as switch grass, corn stover and woody biomass. Feedstock availability for second generation ethanol production is not isolated to agricultural regions. An industry leader in ethanol produced from second generation feedstocks is headquartered in Norwell, Massachusetts.  Source: US DOE Second generation biodiesel would be produced from algae or other oil-rich plants viable in the northeast. The industry leader in biodiesel produced from algae is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition, the northeast region (led by Massachusetts) is home to the second largest cleantech industry in the country, only slightly behind the west coast.  Source: Cleantech Venture Network With substantial private sector capital flowing into this sector as a result of biofuel growth, the northeast region has the opportunity to capture biofuel dollars with the right policy vision. |
 
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