The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, signed into law on
December 19th, boosts the requirements for renewable fuel use to
36 billion gallons by 2022. The act requires "advanced
biofuels"—defined as fuels that cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%—to
provide 21 billion gallons of fuel by 2022, or about 60% of the
total requirement. Such advanced biofuels could include ethanol
derived from cellulosic biomass—such as wood waste, grasses, and
agricultural wastes—as well as biodiesel, butanol, and other fuels.
Previously, a national Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) set by the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 required 4.7 billion gallons of renewable
fuels in 2007, which would have increased to 5.4 billion gallons in
2008 and to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.