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Policy Maker Briefs

Where Did the Poplar Biomass Go?

Where Did the Biomass Go?

March 2018
Developing test batches of ethanol and jet fuel, improving the conversion processes, and figuring out what to do with every part of the poplar tree makes for a better, more efficient system. So far, the results of the poplar studies are very encouraging!


Untangling the RFS

Untangling the RFS

September 2017
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the United States’ most significant federal legislation regarding renewable transportation fuels.


Harvesting Fields of Fuel

Harvesting Fields of Fuel

May 2017
Poplar trees are a promising biomass feedstock for this new industry. The poplars would be grown as an agricultural crop and harvested every three years.


The Social Sustainability of a Poplar Bioeconomy

The Social Sustainability of a Poplar Bioeconomy

February 2017
Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB) is building the foundation of a biofuel and bioproduct industry with
environmental, economic, and social sustainability in mind.


Progress Toward a Poplar-Based PNW Bioeconomy

Progress Toward a Poplar-Based PNW Bioeconomy

November 2016
Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded research project that is investigating the development of a regional biofuel and bio-based chemical industry from locally grown hybrid poplar trees.


Environmental Benefits of Growing Poplar

Environmental Benefits of Growing Poplar

July 2016
Poplar trees are useful in a variety of environmental applications in addition to being a promising bioenergy crop. Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest is leading research to develop a renewable fuel and bio-chemical industry in the Pacific Northwest where poplar trees will be the primary feedstock.


Bio-Jet Fuel Production in the Pacific Northwest

Bio-Jet Fuel Production in the Pacific Northwest

April 2016
Researchers at AHB are investigating the economic feasibility of four, 100 million gallon a year bio-jet fuel refineries in the Pacific Northwest. The proposed locations were selected based on models that considered poplar yields and grower adoption estimates, existing infrastructure, and logistical costs.


Bioenergy Career Pipeline

Bioenergy Career Pipeline

January 2016
AHB is working to enhance rural prosperity in the Northwest through job creation and training. Safe, skilled, and motivated technicians and operators are in demand throughout the region’s agroforestry and industrial sectors.


Poplar Biofuels Reduce Carbon Emissions

Poplar Biofuels Reduce Carbon Emissions

October 2015
The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of a product incorporates all greenhouse gas emissions in the fuel’s production pathway to the equivalent emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). In doing so, the climate change impacts of different fuel sources can be easily compared.


Advancing Bioenergy in the Northwest Through Education

Advancing Bioenergy in the Northwest Through Education

June 2015
As the bioenergy sector grows in the Pacific Northwest, people with skills and knowledge will be needed to drive the next generation of innovations. Programs at Oregon State University and Walla Walla Community College (through partnership with the Agriculture Center of Excellence), created as part of the Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest project, aim to meet these needs.


Building the Bridge to Biofuels

Building the Bridge to Biofuels

April 2015
On the conversion pathway to renewable drop-in transportation fuels, intermediate bio-chemicals are produced with high economic value, which can reduce risk for new biorefineries. The “bridge to biofuels” shows the building blocks of drop-in biofuels and discusses the uses and opportunities of intermediate bio-chemicals.


The New Bioeconomy of the Pacific Northwest

The New Bioeconomy of the Pacific Northwest

December 2014
AHB is building a Bioeconomy in the Pacific Northwest.


Sustainable Transportation Fuels

Sustainable Transportation Fuels

April 2014
AHB is assessing biofuel production processes from different perspectives to ensure environmental, economic, and social sustainability.


Renewable Energy from Poplar

Feedstock Development

January 2014
Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest is working to develop the foundation for a renewable biofuel industry that produces fuels from poplar trees sustainably grown in the Pacific Northwest.


AHB Two Year Update

Two-Year Update

September 2013
Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest began as an USDA NIFA funded initiative in September 2011 to lay the foundation for a hardwood biofuels industry in the Northwest. This brief provides an overview of key accomplishments after two years.


AHB Demonstration Sites

AHB researchers have established four demonstration sites across the Northwest to demonstrate hybrid poplar potential as a bioenergy crop.


Woody Biofuels Initiative in the PNW

Woody Biofuels in the PNW

As part of a national effort, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded two $40 million grants in fall 2011 to develop a sustainable wood to biofuels industry in the Northwest.


AFRI CAP Overview

AFRI CAP Overview

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $156 million in seven projects across the US to assist with the research and development for regionally-based advanced biofuel industries.