This paper reports on the availability, collection and transportation costs of agricultural crop residue for cellulosic ethanol processing in the state of Washington using Geographic Information Systems. The GIS Network Analyst extension toolset is employed to map and spatially analyze the crop residue available within given distances/haul zones for 12 eastern counties. Using census feature classification codes, driving speed limits were assigned to all road segments to calculate haul times to a specific biorefinery location. The feedstock farm gate cost, transportation costs, resource availability and geographic distribution were incorporated to derive feedstock supply curves. To better understand how variation in transportation costs affects the feedstock delivered costs, a sensitivity analysis is conducted incorporating a range of diesel prices.
