Bioenergy Texas Coalition

A coalition to promote and advance the production of energy commodities from renewable energy sources in Texas. Commonly these energy commodities are called biofuels or bioenergy. Bioenergy is energy contained in living or recently living biological organisms, a definition which specifically excludes fossil fuels. Plants get bioenergy from sunlight and animals get it by consuming plants. All bioenergy is thus derived from sunlight which a renewable energy source. Biomass is a term used to describe organic material containing bioenergy. Examples of commonly used biomass are wood (which can be burned for for heat) and cellulosic ethanol made from wood using bacteria. The most important aspect of a bioenergy program is managing for sustainability bioenergy feedstocks (plants or other material used for bioenergy). Feedstocks can be converted into forms such as a liquid or gas fuel that is easier to pipe or transport with trucks. Examples of liquid biofuels are biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, pure plant oil, biokerosene, and biogasoline. Examples of gas biofuels are synthetic natural gas, biogas, and biopropane. Examples of solid biofuels are wood, firewood, wood charcoal (charcoal), wood pellets, charcoal, and biomass pellets. Texas has many resources for biomass energy production due to its large amount of agriculture. Crops such as cotton, corn and soybeans are grown in Texas. Texas has a growing number of landfill gas energy projects. East Texas forests provide fuel for energy production. Texas has significant quantities of manure (feedlot biomass) especially in the High Plains area. US Energy Policy has created many programs for research and development of sustainable green renewable energy to reduce US dependence of foreign crude oil. This has made green energy jobs a growth industry and the Bioenergy Texas Coalition is committed to bringing those jobs and innovations to Texas.