Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - July 14, 2017

Ag, Energy Appropriations Bill Passes Out of Committee – Deep Cuts to Bioenergy Programs

On Wednesday, July 12, House Appropriators passed several spending bills for FY2018 out of committee, including budget proposals for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), EPA, and the Department of Energy.  While both bills provide spending levels well above the President’s proposed cuts, there are still deep cuts to bioenergy and biofuels programs. It is unclear whether the bill will be taken up as part of omnibus spending legislation, or if spending bills will go individually to the House floor.  The House has not yet settled on a top-line budget for each agency for FY2018.  

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House Hearing Highlights Technologies’ Role in Mitigating Climate Impacts to Ag Sector

On July 12, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on  the role of technology and innovation in specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. Prior to the hearing, committee chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) stated, “As we look at the farm bill through the lens of the current farm economy, innovation and technology will remain essential for farmers and ranchers to continue producing more food and fiber with fewer resources.”

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Headlines:

1. EPA Schedules Hearing on RFS Proposal For Aug. 1

2. DOE Awards $8 Million to Support Algae-Based Biofuel Development

3. Pruitt Raises Idea of Higher Levels of Ethanol-Free Gasoline

4. When Will Electric Cars Go Mainstream? It May Be Sooner Than You Think

5. SmartLam Looks to Grow Cross Laminated Timber Production in Montana, Expand to Northeast, Southeast

 

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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