Switchgrass as a Biofuel

Weyerhaeuser is a player in the race to develop a low-carbon biofuel. The company has teamed up with Chevron Corporation to assess the feasibility of commercializing biofuel production from cellulose-based sources. One such source could be switchgrass—a prairie grass native to the southeastern United States. Two 25-acre tests to grow switchgrass were planted in May 2007 on the company’s forestland in North Carolina and Mississippi.

Weyerhaeuser scientists expect to learn how efficiently this crop could be grown between rows of trees. Results will be assessed each year during this several-year study. Advantages of switchgrass include that it grows easily, quickly and naturally regenerates after harvest continually for seven to nine years.

Future tests will be conducted to assess the ecological effect of switchgrass crops on wildlife and water quality. Once successfully developed, we expect the production and use of fuel made from switchgrass to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to that of gasoline.