Feedstocks do compete with each other.
And they compete with other land uses.
“Winners” will be judged on:
– Delivered feedstock costs (land use, refiner profitability)
– Return per acre (land use, grower profitability)
– Ethanol yields per acre (land & logistics costs, land use)
– Ethanol yield per ton (logistics, carbon implications)
– Refinery capital costs (return on investment)
– Production costs (return on sales)
– Perceived environmental impact (political and social
ramifications can trump economic considerations)