Local irrigation response to ethanol production in the High Plains Aquifer
Sampson, GS; Al-Sudani, A; Bergtold, J
| HERO ID | 10365840 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2021 |
| Title | Local irrigation response to ethanol production in the High Plains Aquifer |
| Authors | Sampson, GS; Al-Sudani, A; Bergtold, J |
| Journal | Resource and Energy Economics |
| Volume | 66 |
| Page Numbers | 101249 |
| Abstract | Global ethanol production has grown rapidly due to national renewable fuel programs. Recently, concern has grown over impacts that land conversion and crop displacement driven by ethanol feedstock production might have on water resources. In this paper, we examine local irrigation decisions of agricultural producers in the Kansas portion of the High Plains Aquifer in response to ethanol market expansion. To identify the effects of ethanol expansion on local irrigation decisions, we examine field-level data on irrigation water use, irrigated acreage, and crop decisions for the years 2003-2017 for over 23,000 fields in Kansas. We measure the response of three irrigation decisions, (i) irrigated acreage, (ii) irrigation per acre, and (iii) total water use to the introduction and capacity expansion of an ethanol plant. We find that ethanol market expansion did lead to increases in irrigation water use for local producers. Specifically, a 1 million gallon/year increase in ethanol capacity within 50KM increases annual total water use by 0.16 acre-ft per field. A 10% increase in ethanol capacity within 50KM leads to a 0.13% increase in irrigated corn acreage. |
| Doi | 10.1016/j.reseneeco.2021.101249 |
| Wosid | CCC:000702920700004 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | No |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | bioenergy; biofuels; ethanol; groundwater; High Plains Aquifer; irrigation |
| Is Peer Review | No |
| Is Qa | No |
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