AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University (ISU) and ISU Extension will offer a program that explores the economics of liquid fuels produced by plant sources other than corn, the overall market for biofuels, and what it will take for the United States to significantly reduce its consumption of fossil fuels.

“Biofuels will become a larger and larger part of the other all energy sector over time, said Arne Hallam, chair, Iowa State University (ISU) Department of Economics. “The speed at which alternative energy sources replace fossil fuels will be as important to Iowa consumers, manufacturing and transportation firms as to producers and distributors of these products.”

“Alternative Crops and Alternative Policies for Bioenergy” is scheduled for Monday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will be available online to the public starting March 12.

ISU economists and bioeconomy experts will address five issues in the program and wrap up with a question and answer session.

The first presentation will look at the potential to produce liquid fuels from cellulosic feedstocks. It will examine the various feedstocks being researched, the production processes needed to turn those feed stocks into ethanol, and competitive advantage of those feedstocks.

Next, ISU experts will talk about the environmental effects of alternative feedstocks and the impact of the systems needed to grow those feedstocks on items such as erosion, water quality, and carbon sequestration.

A look at the farm level economics of growing alternative energy feedstocks is the third item to be addressed in the program. The costs and returns of producing those feedstocks will be examined, including a look at the issue of residue removal.

The fourth presentation will examine the effect of biofuel production and processing on community, regional and statewide development.

The last presentation will look at bioenergy policy options. With given market realities, what are the costs and benefits of alternative policies such as energy taxes, cap and trade policies, and targeted subsidies?

As of 11 a.m., Feb. 28, these 30 ISU Extension county offices are scheduled to carry the program. Except where noted, all counties will be offering the program live on March 5. Please contact the county directly for more information about attending the program. This list will be reviewed and updated regularly through March 5.