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Rival Gaza protest groups clash at UCLA; IL farmers on costly hold amid legislative foot-dragging; classes help NY psychologists understand disabled people's mental health; NH businesses, educators: anti-LGBTQ bills hurting kids, economy.

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Ukraine receives much-needed U.S. aid, though it's just getting started. Protesting college students are up in arms about pro-Israel stances. And, end-of-life care advocates stand up for minors' gender-affirming care in Montana.

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More rural working-age people are dying young compared to their urban counterparts, the internet was a lifesaver for rural students during the pandemic but the connection has been broken for many, and conservationists believe a new rule governing public lands will protect them for future generations.

Report Asks: Biofuel Crop or Invasive Weed?

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Friday, April 6, 2012   

PHOENIX – Biofuels are hot new crops all around the country, but before plowing ahead to seed the fields, a new report urges caution. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) notes that bioenergy is an important piece of clean, local energy production. However, crops should be carefully selected and monitored – because in many cases, they can become noxious weeds if they escape the fields.

Report author Aviva Glaser says one example is the giant reed, being raised in Florida as a biofuel, that causes big problems when it grows beyond the crop line.

"It's listed as a noxious weed in a number of states, and it has been known to invade important riparian ecosystems and displace habitat for native species, in states across the southern half of the country."

Algae is considered an invasive species in several states, but cultivated varieties are being raised for biofuel in Arizona. The report also notes that saltcedars, or tamarisk trees, were initially brought to Arizona for landscaping and erosion control, but became one of the most highly-invasive and damaging species in the country. The report recommends that native, non-genetically-engineered plants be used for bioenergy production.

Patty Glick, senior global warming specialist for NWF, contributed to the report, with a focus on what can be done to keep the industry moving forward without causing harm and costing taxpayers money. In her view, prevention is the key, and can be attained through testing before planting.

"We also believe that state and federal governments need to implement rigorous monitoring, as well as early detection and rapid response protocols. And these should be paid for by the bioenergy feedstock producers themselves."

The report also explores the idea of harvesting invasive weeds in areas of infestation to reduce the impact and provide biomass stock at the same time. "Growing Risk: Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks," is online at www.nwf.org/growingrisk.




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