Measuring the economic impacts of switchgrass and cellulosic ethanol production in Oklahoma

klahoma, being a major agricultural based state, will have the opportunity to become a large contributor to the production of alternative energy sources such as cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass. The goal of this study is to measure the economic impacts of switchgrass production for cellulosic biomass and the operation of cellulosic ethanol plants in Oklahoma. Utilizing results from a comprehensive linear mathematical programming model the locations for cellulosic ethanol plants and switchgrass production areas were found for nine different scenarios. With information on optimal plant locations and switchgrass production areas IMPLANRTM study area data and industry accounts are edited to show how the two activities will impact the study area. Also with a large agricultural cooperative presence in Oklahoma the model will show how different management practices such as coop owned vs. private ownership will affect the study area.;In scenario one, for single plant additional impact assessments made for varying levels of cooperative and private ownership. By retaining plant profits in the region through cash patronage to producer owners cooperative ownership was measured for 50% cooperative ownership and 100% cooperative ownership. For the 100% privately owned no profits are retained in the region. For the 100% privately owned scenario there is a combined industry output for switchgrass production and ethanol production of...