Environmental benefits of biofuels are overblown, says UM researcher

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published June 15, 2016 at 4:50 PM EDT

Canola's low pour point and high oil content make it an ideal candidate for biodiesel. One kilogram of canola seeds, center, produces the amount of oil in the flask on the left.

Our conversation with John DeCicco.

From ethanol made with corn to diesel fuel made from soy beans, the agriculture industry loves biofuels.

The Environmental Protection Agency is also pushing biofuels. They're seen as cleaner burning, and burning the fuels creates less of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change than do fossil fuels such as oil.

All good, right?

Well, it turns out those claims might be hyped a bit.

John DeCicco joined us today on Stateside. His research finds that these claims about biofuels are overblown.

GUEST

John DeCicco is a research professor at the University of Michigan Energy Institute.