US Energy Department unveils interactive widget to support bio-fuels

The widget, which can be added to any website, is part of the US government’s ongoing effort to have domestically-produced bio-fuels and similar products play a key role in diversifying US energy supplies and improve the country’s economic security.

The Replacing the Whole Barrel widget describes:

• The different kinds of products that are refined from a typical barrel of crude oil;
• The variety of biomass-based products that can replace those traditionally derived from oil;
• Conversion technologies used to turn biomass resources into bio-fuels and bio-products; and
• Private companies and research institutions that are partnering with the Department of Energy in order to develop the U.S. bio-fuels and bio-products industry.

For many, a barrel of oil is almost synonymous with its most prominent product, gasoline. While about 40 percent of a barrel of oil is used to produce gasoline, the rest is used to produce a host of products including jet fuel, plastics, and industrial chemicals.

The US Energy Department says that in order to prevent shortages in fuel and products markets, the US must recognize the complexity of its dependence on imported oil and work to replace the whole barrel.

For additional information:

Replacing the Whole Barrel widget