Biofuels - North Carolina Extension

Biofuels are renewable, alternative forms of motor fuels that are produced from naturally occurring organics compounds such as plant material and animal fats. The two most common biofuels in the United States are biodiesel and ethanol. This site provides Cooperative Extension agents, the farm community, interested stakeholders, and the general public with information and resources to increase the production and consumption of biofuels in North Carolina. Please review the links to the right to find extensive information about biofuels and bioenergy.

The Importance of Biofuels Today:

Sharp increases in petroleum prices along with concerns surrounding importing oil from unstable regions of the globe has lead to increased production in biofuels. The need for domestically produced energy was highlighted in President Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address:

“It's in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply -- the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power, by even greater use of clean coal technology, solar and wind energy, and clean, safe nuclear power. We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol using everything from wood chips to grasses, to agricultural wastes.”