Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved systems and methods for reducing costs and increasing yields of cellulosic ethanol. In particular, the present invention provides plants genetically transformed for increased biomass, expression of lignocellulolytic enzyme polypeptides, and/or simplification of harvesting and downstream processing. Also provided are methods for processing biomass from these transgenic plants that involve less severe and/or less expensive pre-treatment protocols that are typically employed. Such methods allow, among other things, reduced costs associated with externally applied lignocellulolytic enzyme polypeptides.