Liberalization of ethanol trade between the U.S. and Brazil in the presence of a binding Renewable Fuel Standard

Christopher John Barthol, Purdue University

Abstract

In late 2008, it appeared that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) had become binding for the first time (Abbot, Hurt, and Tyner, 2009). The problem is that there is little understanding of the impacts of current U.S. domestic, alternative, and border policies on biofuels in a U.S. market with a binding RFS. While other publications exist on ethanol trade policy, there is little to no literature on how a binding RFS affects biofuel markets in the U.S. and Brazil and how the RFS interacts with import policy. The purpose of this research is to estimate the interactions of domestic, alternative, and border policies with respect to biofuels. The major focus of this research is trade policy and estimating the impacts of changes in U.S. ethanol trade policy on energy and agricultural markets in the U.S. and Brazil in the presence of a binding RFS. Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of the interactions of import policy, the RFS, and other biofuel policies.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Tyner, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Alternative Energy|Agricultural economics|International Relations|Energy

COinS