Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings issued for Twin Cities metro area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

(AP) - A new study at South Dakota State
University -- and funded by NASA -- will try to find out how a move
from corn and soybeans to grasses grown primarily for biofuel would
affect the weather.

      Scientists will use various field and modeling approaches to
examine the potential impacts of such a shift in North Dakota,
South Dakota, Nebraska, western Minnesota and northern Iowa under
various scenarios of biofuel cultivation.

      Senior scientist Michael Wimberly says the researchers are not
trying to predict exactly what would happen. He says the goal is to
make broad but reasonable assumptions so potential consequences can
become part of the discussion.

      The $738,000 study is a collaboration among scientists at SDSU,
the School of Mines in Rapid City and the U.S. Geological Survey's
EROS Data Center near Sioux Falls.

Gallery

Alternative energy plans a boost to wildlife habitat

Experts look to timber as next generation energy source

Not all biofuels are equal

A new model for developing biofuels

Weather and Climate News

Business and Economic News

Agriculture

Environmental News

Water

A new study at South Dakota State
University -- and funded by NASA -- will try to find out how a move
from corn and soybeans to grasses grown primarily for biofuel would
affect the weather.

NASA-funded study to examine crops' effect on weather

Go Deeper.

Like this?