Because Our Future Depends on It
More than 80 percent of the energy we use is from nonrenewable sources. And we can't afford to run out of energy sources. Agriculture is important to us, a billion-dollar industry in New York State alone. Seneca BioEnergy seeks to support both energy and agriculture in ways that will serve and protect our environment in the future. The company's goals are green, to use agricultural crops to create renewable energy and other products in environmentally –friendly ways, and to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are a finite resource. The world may already have reached its peak oil production. Acid rain is seen as the result of the use of fossil fuels, and many climatologists also believe these fuels contribute to global warming. Many scientists and environmentalists have urged a global switch to renewable energy.
Renewable energy is derived from replenishable sources such as the sun, the wind, agricultural feedstocks and biomass. Renewable energy supplies are being generated from biological materials, including corn, switchgrass and oilseed crops that can be converted into biofuel.
Biodiesel is a biofuel produced from various feedstocks, including vegetable oils from canola and soybeans, waste greases and animal fats. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel for use in vehicles with diesel engines, or used for home heating oil. Biodiesel's use is small but growing.
Biofuel applies to any solid, liquid or gaseous fuel produced from organic (once-living) matter. Biofuel covers a wide range of products, some of which are commercially available today and some of which are still in research and development.
New Yorkers face serious energy and environmental challenges that affect all parts of our lives. Issues include high energy costs, continuing reliance on imported fuels, an aging energy infrastructure and climate change.
In June 2008, New York began a statewide energy planning process to develop an efficient and cost-effective way to meet future energy needs. The 2009 NYS Energy Plan was released in December 2009. The work of Gov. David Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force will be among the initiatives considered by the state's Energy Planning Board.