US announces plans to provide boost for advanced biofuels production

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing funds to strengthen biofuel production and keep people who work at renewable energy facilities employed, announced US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

In a statement, the Department said it will invest $8.8 million to boost the production of advanced biofuels in 39 states.

In a statement, USDA said that it continues to lead the way in promotion of advanced biofuel production, from implementing the revised Farm Bill bio-refinery programme to the launching of the Green Fleet with the Department of the Navy and developing the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap, which outlines voluntary strategies to overcome barriers to expansion and development of a robust biogas industry within the US.

"Advanced biofuels expand America's energy options and increase our sources of homegrown, renewable energy," Vilsack said.

He added: "These payments not only help to spur biofuel production, but also protect the environment and help create jobs by building a renewable energy economy in rural areas."

2008 Farm Bill

The funding is being provided through USDA's Advanced Biofuel Payment Programme, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Payments are made to biofuels producers based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch.

Examples of eligible feedstocks include crop residue, food and yard waste, vegetable oil, and animal fat. Through this program to date, USDA has made $308 million in payments to 382 producers in 47 states and territories.

These payments have produced enough biofuel to provide more than 391 billion kilowatt hours of electric energy, the USDA said.

Vilsack said that he has recognised the bio-based economy as one of the pillars that strengthen rural communities.

 Through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program and other USDA programs, USDA is working to support the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a strong biofuels industry that creates jobs and broadens the range of feedstocks used to produce renewable fuel.

Over the course of the Obama Administration, USDA has invested $332 million to accelerate research on renewable energy ranging from genomic research on bioenergy feedstock crops, to development of biofuel conversion processes and costs/benefit estimates of renewable energy production.

Biofuels used by the navy

In January, Secretary Vilsack joined Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to launch the Great Green Fleet, and witnessed destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) being replenished with advanced biofuel made from waste beef fat. Aviation biofuels, like those used by the navy, are creating new markets for energy created from agricultural waste products, the USDA said.

New biorefineries

USDA has also supported efforts to build six new biorefineries to produce advanced biofuels in Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Nevada, North Carolina, and Iowa, in addition to three existing facilities in New Mexico, Michigan and Florida.

Investments in renewable energy and the bio-based economy are a leading part of USDA's commitment to mitigating climate change and promoting a clean-energy economy.

The Department is currently examining what a changing climate means to agriculture and how USDA is working to reduce greenhouse gases.