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August 12, 2011
A weekly look at sustainable bioenergy, farm, and forest policy issues
Will Deal on National Debt Jeopardize Job-Creating Renewable Energy Programs?
With the deal on the debt ceiling and overall deficit reduction completed August 2, next come decisions on which programs to cut. Environmental protection, energy efficiency, renewable energy, public land management, and agriculture and forestry conservation programs are all at risk of being cut deeply, potentially putting at risk tens of thousands of public and private sector jobs and jeopardizing energy, economic, and environmental security for future generations – unless Congress can be persuaded otherwise.
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DOE Releases Report on U.S. Biomass Supply Potential
How much renewable biomass can the United States produce each year to meet its future bioenergy needs? Enough to displace 30 percent of its current petroleum use by 2030 or fulfill the 36 billion gallon per year renewable fuels mandate by 2022? At what price? Can it be done sustainably?
New Job-Creating Biomass Crop Project Areas Announced
On July 26, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced “the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels... According to industry estimates, these projects will create more than 3,400 jobs in the biorefinery, agriculture and supporting sectors, and provide the feedstocks to produce more than 2 million gallons of biofuels annually when full production levels are achieved.”
Biofuels Helped Reduce U.S. Oil Imports and Trade Deficit in 2010
U.S. net petroleum imports declined in 2010, continuing a trend since 2005. Many factors contributed to this, but biofuels played a key role, and they are expected to play an increasing role in the future.
New Biomass Caucus Forming in House
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council reports that Reps. Charles Bass (R-NH) and Peter Welch (D-VT) are organizing a Congressional biomass caucus to support the development of biomass as a renewable resource. They are seeking additional members.
Writer: Ned Stowe
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