Biofuel potential of Kentucky rights-of-way

Background/Question/Methods Biofuels such as ethanol may have the potential to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil for transportation fuel. However, converting cropland and forests to biofuel production sites can have negative impacts on food availability, food prices, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.  he objective of this study was to estimate the amount of ethanol that could be produced from prairie switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grown in Kentucky interstate and parkway rights-of-way. Rights-of-way are mowed by the state of Kentucky at an approximate cost of four to five million dollars a year. In addition, rights-of-way are not cropland and while they do provide habitat for some species, these areas are not typically considered critical habitat or biodiversity hotspots, making them an excellent candidate for an alternative use such as biofuel production. ArcGIS was used to measure the area of the rights-of-way from aerial photography and was multiplied by published swtichgrass production values and ethanol conversion rates for an ethanol production estimate. 
Results/Conclusions This study indicates that several millions of gallons could be produced in these areas annually. While this amount of ethanol could not reasonably replace petroleum use in Kentucky, it may serve as an opportunity to manage an otherwise costly area, fuel government vehicles, or serve as a bridge to alternative fuels or vehicles. In addition, this study could easily be reproduced in other states where conditions favor the growth of switchgrass.