Biofuels, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and Invasive Plants: What’s the Fuss All About?
Sponsored by the Agricultural and Food Law Consortium
Topic:
In June 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a supplemental final rule associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This rule contains a lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis for renewable fuels made from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), and a regulatory determination that such fuels qualify as cellulosic renewable fuel under the RFS program. As Arundo donax is a notorious invasive weed in several states, EPA’s decision has raised concerns that the biofuel industry will become a new pathway for the introduction of invasive species. This webinar will provide an overview of the invasive species concerns associated with the biofuels industry and discuss the legislative and regulatory efforts of state and federal regulators to address these concerns.
Participation:
This webinar was recorded on November 10, 2015. To listen to a recording of the webinar, click here.
Presenter:
Stephanie Otts, Director, National Sea Grant Law Center
Stephanie Showalter Otts is the Director of the National Sea Grant Law Center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Stephanie received a B.A. in History from Penn State University and a joint J.D./Masters of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and Mississippi. As Director, Stephanie oversees a variety of legal education, research, and outreach activities, including providing legal research services to Sea Grant constituents on ocean and coastal law issues. Stephanie also teaches a foundational course on ocean and coastal law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Stephanie has conducted extensive research on marine aquaculture.
Research & Materials