As is the case with most rural agricultural communities, western Colorado
is dependent on fossil fuels transported from distant sources. This
results in vulnerability to fuel supply disruptions and price shocks
(Ederington et al., 2011; Yu, Wang, and Lai, 2008). A predictable and
locally derived fuel source may provide stability to the agricultural
production supply chain as well as to local commerce (Tareen, Wetzstein,
and Duffield , 2000; Western Organization of Research Counsels, 2009).
This research project evaluates the economic feasibility of bio-butanol as
a locally grown biofuel in western Colorado as a means to encourage
farm-level and regional energy sovereignty.