Many issues and some myths are drivers of change in the emerging transition to a bioeconomy. This working paper focuses on two of the key drivers in much of the discussion and they are not likely to disappear from the agenda anytime soon. First is the broad based national priority for reducing domestic dependence on imported oil. Second is the emergence of the global concern over climate change and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. A framework for local policy decisions is developed for each issue using the alternatives and consequences approach.