1、WORKING PAPER|Version 1.0|May 2025|1WORKING PAPERRethinking biofuels in the US MidwestHaley Leslie-Bole,Carla Walker,Angela Scafidi,Ben Hosansky,and Caroline Melo Ribeiro CONTENTSExecutive summary.1Introduction.3Methodology.4Existing biofuel policy and its impacts.6Do first-generation biofuels in th

2、e Midwest effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions?.7Are costs and benefits of first-generation biofuels equitably distributed?.10How do first-generation biofuels affect the environment and public health?.13How do first-generation biofuels affect resilience and adaptation to the impacts of clim

3、ate change?.14Conclusion.18Appendix A.19Appendix B.20Appendix C.21Appendix D.22Endnotes.25References.26Acknowledgments.31Working Papers contain preliminary research,analysis,findings,and recommendations.They are circulated to stimulate timely discussion and critical feedback,and to influence ongoing

4、 debate on emerging issues.Suggested Citation:Leslie-Bole,H.,C.Walker,A.Scafidi,B.Hosansky,and C.Melo Ribeiro.2025.“Rethinking biofuels in the US Midwest.”Working Paper.Washington,DC:World Resources Institute.Available online at doi.org/10.46830/wriwp.24.00032.Highlights Biofuels policies have resha

5、ped the midwestern landscape and economy.New plans and incentives,including incentives for aviation fuels,could further expand production of biofuels made from corn and soy crops.However,a growing body of research reveals that policies promoting biofu-els,which often rely on taxpayer dollars,have br

6、ought mixed environmental and socioeconomic results.In the United States,the majority of biofuels are first-generation biofuels,made from edible crops such as corn and soy.Diverting food crops to biofuels prompts land use change,increasing greenhouse gas emissions.First-generation biofuels also cont