https://pjmedia.com/tatler/2011/01/11/beyond-petroleum-the-ever-receding-deep-water-horizon/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 07:22:25 -0400<![CDATA[In 2007 Congress and President Bush enacted a Soviet-style production quota for &#8220;renewable&#8221; motor fuels commonly known as the ethanol mandate. Fuel blenders were required to sell 100 million gallons of &#8220;cellulosic&#8221; ethanol (alcohol fuel made from switch grass, wood chips, and other plant fibers) in 2010 and 250 million gallons in 2011. For years biofuel lobbyists said cellulosic fuel was &#8220;just around the corner.&#8221; However, commercial output was so anemic that EPA last year dumbed down the 2010 quota to 5 million gallons and the 2011 quota to 6.6 million gallons. Alas, even those targets were too ambitious. Today&#8217;s Climatewire (subscription required) reports that cellulosic ethanol production in 2010 likely did not exceed 1 million gallons, and the Energy Information Administration projects less than 4 million gallons this year in its most optimistic scenario.]]>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:41:56 -0500<![CDATA[Marlo Lewis]]>https://pjmedia.com/marlo-lewis/2011/01/11/beyond-petroleum-the-ever-receding-deep-water-horizon-n136343