Estimation of job creation and economic activity from investment in hybrid poplar bio-jet fuel
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Presented by: Dr. Nathan Parker, Arizona State University, Dr. Josué Medellin-Azuara, UC Davis, and Dr. Boon-Ling Yeo, UC Davis Energy Institute.
View the recording at https://youtu.be/1z_7YRDgubQ?list=PLajA3BBVyv1wVXc-e_vYkKBI_pgT50-6T
This study estimates the net economic impacts of short-rotation poplar for bio-jet fuel production in California, Washington, and Oregon. Regional impacts such as potential biofuel output and employment opportunities are explored as well as poplar production, displacement of existing crops, handling and transportation of poplar, biorefinery construction and operation. We employed a suite of models including a Statewide Agricultural Production (SWAP) model, which a hydro-economic model for crop adoption, a Geospatial Bioenergy Systems Model (GBSM) to identify the optimal location of the biorefinery facility in each State, and IMPLAN, an input-output model of the regional economies to conduct the economic impact analysis. Results indicate the poplar production has the potential to replace some incumbent crops in the study areas at sufficiently high prices with net benefits in local employment, value added (gross domestic product), and output.
