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This post was last edited by qinweijun on 2012-5-11 21:47. The Energy Act (H.R.6), passed by the United States in mid-December 2007, will introduce new standards for renewable fuels. In addition to raising the Comprehensive Automotive Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards so that by 2020 the average CAFE figure will be 35 miles per gallon, the bill also addresses raising the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) ； Electrification of transportation ； Raise facility and lighting standards ； Energy conservation in construction and industry ； **Energy conservation in utilities ； Supports research on energy technologies such as solar, geothermal, oceanic, and hydroelectric power, as well as research on energy storage for transportation and electricity ； Research, development, and verification of carbon capture and storage ； Grid modernization ； And various other measures as well. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): This act identifies four main types of renewable fuels: conventional biofuels, which are ethanol produced from grain starch ； Cellulose biofuels ； Biomass-based diesel (including biodiesel: fatty acid methyl esters) ； And other advanced biofuels. Under this bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) will require production to be increased to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Among them, grain ethanol production is limited to 15 billion gallons per year as in 2015 ； The remainder is expected to be provided by “advanced biofuels,” most of which are cellulose biofuels. By the end of the period covered by this standard (2022), cellulosic biofuels will account for 16 billion gallons, surpassing grain ethanol’s 15 billion gallons. The act provides for improvements in greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle, measured against the life cycle emission baseline for gasoline or diesel sold in 2005 (whether substituted or not). The minimum improvement in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is 20% ； In terms of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life cycle, bio-diesel must achieve a 50% reduction in GHG emissions, while cellulosic biofuels must achieve a 60% reduction in GHG emissions. The bill defines “advanced biofuels” as renewable fuels, rather than ethanol produced from grain starch. They include: 1. Ethanol produced from cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin ； 2. Ethanol produced from sugars rather than cereal starches ； 3. Ethanol produced from waste materials, including plant residues ； 4. Butanol or other alcohols produced through the transformation of organic materials ； 5. Bio-based diesel ； 6. Biogas produced through the conversion of renewable biomass (including landfill gas and gas generated from wastewater treatment) ； 7. Other fuels produced from cellulose biomass. RFS provides an important basis for the EPA to conduct management verification. For example, if the production of cellulose biofuels falls below the levels required by the RFS, the regulatory authority can facilitate timely adjustments to the standards. The implementation of this bill requires collaboration among multiple parties. The bill requires the measurement of fuel efficiency improvements in flexible-fuel vehicles that may be powered by 85% ethanol (E85). It is also necessary to study the effects of biodiesel blends (B5, B10, B20, B30, and B100) on the performance and durability of engines and engine systems.