Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Construction, Manufacturing, Operation, and Maintenance of U.S. Distribution Infrastructure for Petroleum and Biofuels

Abstract

To meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the transportation sector, the United States is expected to expand infrastructure for producing and distributing lignocellulosic biofuels over the next decade. To compare the life-cycle GHG footprint of biofuels to the petroleum baseline, emissions associated with feedstock and fuel handling, storage, and transportation must be included. U.S.-specific life-cycle GHG emission factors were developed for each major distribution chain activity by applying a hybrid life-cycle assessment methodology to the construction, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of each component. A projection was then made for the fleet of infrastructure components necessary to distribute 21 billion gal. (79.5 billion L) of ethanol derived entirely from