Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - July 21, 2017

Senate Passes Ag, Energy Appropriations Bills – Increases Over House Package

On Thursday, July 20, Senate Appropriators reported several spending bills for FY2018 out of committee, including budget proposals for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Energy.  Both bills provide spending levels above the President’s proposed cuts. At USDA, there are still deep cuts to renewable energy programs in the Energy Title.  For DOE, spending levels are above the House bill, and certain programs cut in the House bill (such as ARPA-E), are restored in the Senate bill.  Additionally, funding for the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is well above the deep cuts proposed in the House.

While it’s still anticipated that there will be a Continuing Resolution to fund the government past the end of the fiscal year, the appropriations process sets the tone and priorities for federal agencies moving forward.

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Headlines:

1. Bill Aims to Establish Tax Credit for Biobased Chemicals

2. Department of Energy Provides $40 Million for 4 DOE Bioenergy Research Centers

3. Tiny Particles Increase In Air With Ethanol-to-Gasoline Switch

4. Big Oil Just Woke Up to Threat of Rising Electric Car Demand

5. Drought in High Plains- “Simple Survival” a Goal for Some Farmers, Ranchers

 

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

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