Note from Jerry Cherney: Biochar, Grass, Europe

[jockgill]

Posted with permission:

Jock,

I have to agree with Roger that although biochar is an extremely good
idea, it won't fly at least until someone in the USA takes carbon
crediting seriously. I am not sure I agree with Roger that straight
combustion can fly without any subsidies. Maybe grass for light
industrial/industrial use might fly without subsidies.

I found some economic estimates from Finland, where they claim they
will have about 185,000 acres of reed canarygrass and 150,000 acres of
straw for combustion in 2010. Revenue barely exceeds costs in their
estimates, and only because about 2/3 of the revenue is subsidies.
European "subsidies" for alternative energy are typically based on
real environmental benefits resulting from a particular alternative
energy process, not subsidies based on political lobbying efforts.

Jerry
============================
Jerry H. Cherney
E.V. Baker Professor of Agriculture
Department of Crop & Soil Sciences
503 Bradfield Hall
Cornell University