The commercial development and deployment of biopower, bioproducts, biofuels and other alternative fuels is a “natural” strategy for Arkansas to strengthen rural communities through job creation and new wealth.
With nearly 85% of the state’s land resources dedicated to crops and forestry which can be developed as feedstocks for biopower and biofuels facilities and abundant reserves of shale gas deposits, Arkansas is in a unique position to generate and produce much of our own energy. This is especially critical considering that more than $2.5 billion currently leaves the state economy every year to purchase energy resources out-of-state.
The AAEA Working Group on Bioenergy and Alternative Fuels has recommended that a state energy plan include incentives that encourage:
Installation of commercial electric recharging and alternative refueling stations. Alternative fuels would include electricity, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, gas/ethanol or butanol blends, diesel/biodiesel or renewable diesel blends;
Installation of electric recharging and alternative fuel components for homeowners and businesses on their properties;
Installation of electric recharging and alternative fuel components for state agencies, county and municipal governments and educational institutions;
Purchase of new engines and equipment to modify existing engines that use alternative fuels;
Purchase of electric vehicles;
Biofuels produced or sold in Arkansas.