Some new biofuel technologies show promise as clean energy sources, but corn-based
ethanol does not. Experts agree that corn-based ethanol offers only a marginal reduction
(roughly 15 percent on average) in global warming pollution over conventional fuels. This is
not enough. Investment in new fuels should focus on “second generation biofuels,” which
significantly reduce global warming pollution and can be made from grass, agricultural
waste, and forestry waste. US policy should boost sustainable production of US-grown,
second-generation biofuels and eliminate biofuel imports from nations that do not have
strict environmental criteria for their production.