Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from recently living organic materials known as biomass. Biomass can include wood, food crops such as corn, energy crops, and waste from forests, yards, or farms. Bioenergy can be extracted in useful forms such as electricity, heat, and biofuels through combustion, fermentation, pyrolysis, or other conversion methods.
Benefits of a robust bioenergy industry include supplying domestic clean energy sources, reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil, generating U.S. jobs, and revitalizing rural economies. Bioenergy can contribute to a more secure, sustainable, and economically sound future. Bioenergy is a versatile renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid transportation fuels that are equivalent to fossil-based fuels, such as gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel.
However, there is also agreement that local environmental impacts can be problematic, and increased biomass demand can create significant social and environmental pressure in the locations where it is sourced. Burning biomass does release carbon dioxide, but it releases less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels. Bioenergy must be produced and used sustainably to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
