(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Roughly every five years, Congress passes a Farm Bill, covering a wide range of issues from
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
Back TO HOMESizzlin’ Summit: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Algae in the 2019 Farm Bill
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the hot and happenin’ Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida,Steve Mayfield, Director at UCSD
September 26, 2019 Read Full Article
All About Algae: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to ABO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Algae Biomass Organization advocates for algae-advancing policy and funding, serves as a hub for innovation and
July 09, 2019 Read Full Article
The Next Chapter for Algae: The Farm Bill of 2018 Recognizes Algae as a Crop for the First Time. Will We Be Bold Enough to Treat It Like One?
by Rebecca White (iWi (Qualitas Health, Inc.)/Biofuels Digest) This Wednesday marks a major milestone in the history of the American algae industry:
March 27, 2019 Read Full Article
Algae Agriculture Triumphs in Farm Bill Compromise
(Algae Biomass Organization) In a historic day for the algae industry, the U.S. Senate Tuesday approved a Farm Bill compromise that dramatically expands
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Energy Title Contains Climate Tweaks, Slimmer Funding
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... While the bill is largely viewed as a status-quo farm bill, the
December 14, 2018 Read Full Article
2018 Farm Bill Helps Rural America Become More Resilient: Rural Economies Crucial to Combating Climate Change
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) commends the Farm Bill conferees and the House and Senate
December 12, 2018 Read Full Article
A Summary of Federal Programs: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A wide array of federal incentives supports the development and deployment of alternatives to conventional fuels
December 05, 2018 Read Full Article
It’s Past Midnight: Do You Know Where Funds for Your Farm Bill Energy Title Programs Stand?
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) On September 30th, the 2018 Farm Bill officially expired. And while both chambers of
October 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Put Algae in the Farm Bill!
(Algae Biomass Organization) ... Algae are fast becoming a significant component in food and health products, and it is time that
August 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Senate Ag Committee Restores 2018 Farm Bill Energy Title Funding
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On June 13, the Senate ag committee approved the its version of the 2018 Farm Bill
June 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Senate Farm Bill Expands Reach of Energy Title, But Provides Little Funding
by Jesse Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On Friday, June 8, the Senate Agriculture Committee released the Agricultural Improvement Act
June 08, 2018 Read Full Article
Sen. Tina Smith Tells Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders that Farm Bill Energy Programs Are Key to Reviving Lagging Farm Economy
(Office of Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)) Senator Leads Bipartisan Push for Strong Funding and Focus on Energy As Senate Begins Work
June 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Farm Bill to Get Second Vote in US House in June: Roll Call
(CNBC/Reuters) The U.S. House of Representatives will vote for a second time on a massive farm bill after the measure
May 23, 2018 Read Full Article
Breaking News: Attack on Farm Bill Clean Energy Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Breaking news arrives from the Ag Energy Coalition regarding the 2018 Farm Bill. Green Capiltol’s
May 18, 2018 Read Full Article
House Committee Passes 2018 Farm Bill
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... In a statement, House Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., criticized the legislation, calling
April 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Draft 2018 Farm Bill Reauthorizes Energy Title Programs
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, released a draft of
April 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Rural Issues Growing Jobs and Rural Economies: The Farm Bill’s Energy Title
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Since their inception in the 2002 Farm Bill, Energy Title (Title IX) programs have helped
April 06, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA and Its Programs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The bioeconomy is a catalyst for economic development in rural America, creating new jobs and providing
March 12, 2018 Read Full Article
All Eyes on Energy
by Keith Loria (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The 2014 Farm Bill—otherwise known as the Agricultural Act of 2014—places a larger emphasis
August 28, 2017 Read Full Article
House Committee Debates Future Federal Support of Biofuels
by Sara Taginawa (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On Tuesday, July 25, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held
July 28, 2017 Read Full Article
House Appropriators Make Significant Cuts to Farm Energy Programs in FY18 Agriculture Spending Bill
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On June 29, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved a spending bill
June 30, 2017 Read Full Article
House Agriculture Appropriations Bill Axes BCAP, Slashes Loan Guarantees and REAP
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the draft House Appropriations Committee’s FY2018 Agriculture Appropriations bill was released, and cut the
June 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Rocky Road Ahead for Farm Bill’s Energy Title
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Farm Bill’s Energy Title provides loans and grants to farmers, ranchers
February 20, 2017 Read Full Article
The Bioeconomy, #1 Catalyst for Rural Development: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA and Rural Development
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Outgoing Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack put it best: “The bioeconomy is a catalyst for economic
January 13, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow the Bioeconomy and Improve Forest Health
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that $1.5 million
November 10, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Results: Powering America with a More Sustainable Energy Future
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) ... The Obama Administration has pursued a carefully balanced approach, deploying technologies that improve the very best
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Working the Calculator: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to Choosing a Feedstock
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “What color is your parachute?” went the title of a best-selling book from the 80s
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Resumes Incentives to Grow and Harvest Biomass for Energy and Biobased Products
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that incentives
May 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Energy Programs Enable New Feedstock Production To Help Fuel the Biobased Economy
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Congress changed mandatory funding for two key bioenergy programs – despite their tangible
April 06, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Highlights Benefits of Rural Development Grants with Eye on Bioenergy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the USDA has highlighted the economic impacts on rural communities bioenergy investments have
January 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Ensyn Nabs Chevron Exec as New CEO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jeffrey Jacobs, who served as Vice President of Chevron Technology Ventures until his recent retirement
January 29, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Highlights 2015 Bioeconomy Achievements
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Several of the achievements listed by the USDA benefited the bioenergy and biofuels sectors.
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Lifting the U.S. Crude Export Ban: Impact on Oil, Biofuels, Wind & Solar & the Evolution of the U.S. Energy Landscape
(Genscape) Now in the hands of president Obama for final sign off, the budget deal that could end the 1975
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops
(US Department of Agriculture) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins
August 21, 2015 Read Full Article
House Appropriators Shortchange Rural America on Jobs and Economic Growth, AgEC Says
(Agriculture Energy Coalition/BusinessWire) The House Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Bill would reduce mandatory spending levels for important Energy
June 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Comment Period Open on Proposed Discretionary Changes to BCAP
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA has announced its intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS)
June 17, 2015 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Restart of Biomass Crop Assistance Program for Renewable Energy
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that incentives will resume this summer for farmers,
June 02, 2015 Read Full Article
USDA Publishes Final BCAP Rule
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) The USDA has released the final rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, and though
March 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Clean Energy Programs Survive “Cromnibus”
(FarmEnergy.org) The big news from our nation’s capital this past week has been the passage of the appropriations bill for
December 18, 2014 Read Full Article
What Progress is the USDA Making on Turning Farm Bill Funding into Program Action?
By Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Well, plenty. We reported on progress with Section 9003 loan guarantees earlier this week -
September 08, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Funding Availability for Turning Biomass Material into Energy
(US Department of Agriculture) Now Apply for Renewed Biomass Crop Assistance Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (June 9, 2014)
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Walking a Rough Road to a World Free of Non-Renewable Sources of Energy: Memories of 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo
By Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Imagine a world without non-renewable energy sources, where we just use sun,
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
As Miscanthus Crop Matures, Producers Find More Uses
by Chris Kick (Farm and Dairy) ...At 10 feet tall and higher, (Jon) Griswold’s “giant miscanthus” surpasses even the tallest of
September 18, 2013 Read Full Article
For Farm Bill Clean Energy Programs, Mandatory Funding Is Crucial
by Lloyd Ritter and Ryan Stroschein (Agriculture Energy Coalition/Biofuels Digest) Now that both the U.S. House and Senate are moving toward
July 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Short Takes: Farm Bill Update
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, BIO begins the week with applause for Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Thad
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Energy Title Introduced in Senate
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Legislation to reauthorize the Farm Bill energy title was introduced in the Senate Monday. Senators Tom Harkin
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Save $270M! (and Make Biofuels Feedstocks, er, Feasible, er, Now)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is there bio-based relief for the harried taxpayer in sight? Could conservationists, growers and biofuels
May 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Coalition Urges New Farm Bill for Energy
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) today urged Congress to begin work on a new five-year Farm
January 23, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA's Senior Energy Advisor Explains BCAP after Cliff Deal
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biomass Crop Assistance Program may have been extended through 2013 with the passing
January 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Contains No Mandatory Funding for Energy Title Programs
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The bad news is, all mandatory funding for energy title programs were stripped from
January 03, 2013 Read Full Article
The October Surprise: BP Cancels Plans for US Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, BP announced it is canceling plans to build a 36 million gallon commercial-scale
October 26, 2012 Read Full Article
On Marginal Land, These Grasses May Be Greener
by Kristofor Husted (KBIA) In the parched, rolling hills of western Missouri, you might expect to see a desolate scene after
October 16, 2012 Read Full Article
North Dakota and Montana: Opportunity Knocks for the Bioeconomy, along the Northern Tier
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Despite low levels of publicity, North Dakota and Montana are making great strides in bioeconomy
September 04, 2012 Read Full Article
Chemtex Lands $99M USDA Loan Guarantee for North Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In North Carolina, Chemtex announced that it has received a $99 million conditional loan guarantee
August 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Missouri Organizes for Energy Independence
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Like many states (or countries) that have limited oil reserves or reserves that are economically
August 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Biomass Crop Assistance Program Expanded
Jannette Pippin (JDNews) Eastern North Carolina farmers have an opportunity to get involved in growing renewable energy crops for fuel
July 30, 2012 Read Full Article
Death Valley Days: The Biofuels Financing Saga
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As bio-based companies race across the Valley of Death, in the dash for scale, who’s
July 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Official: Future of BCAP Could Impact Future of Energy Crops
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The nearly $10 million awarded by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to three energy
June 25, 2012 Read Full Article
$4.3 Million to Be Invested in Shrub Willow Growth for Renewable Fuel
(Observer-Dispatch) The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $4.3 million to ReEnergy and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
June 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Dial 9011 for Crop Assistance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Section 9011 of the Farm Bill – the Biomass Crop Assistance Program – USDA deploys
June 14, 2012 Read Full Article
USDA Selects Chemtex for $3.9 million BCAP Project
(Chemtex International/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Chemtex International announced today (June 13, 2012) that it has been selected by the USDA to participate in
June 13, 2012 Read Full Article
Energy Coalition Disappointed in Farm Bill Draft
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A coalition of trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm and environmental interests
April 25, 2012 Read Full Article
NSAC Suggests REAP, BCAP Changes
by Anna Austin (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has released its 2012 Farm Bill platform,
March 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Policies of Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America in a 2012 Farm Bill
by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) With a refreshing sense of focus, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Agriculture,
February 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Support for a New Advanced Biofuel Production Facility in Oregon: Project will Create Jobs, Expand Production of Biofuels
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has approved a conditional commitment in the amount
January 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Federal Cutbacks Not Stopping MFA Biofuels Plan
by Jacob Barker (Columbia Tribune) Despite large cuts to the federal program supporting it and concerns from some groups about
January 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Next Up: Abengoa in Early Planning for Second Cellulosic Plant
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s only been a few months since Abengoa Bioenergy broke ground on its 23
January 12, 2012 Read Full Article
Proposed Farm Bill Includes Advanced Biofuels
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R, IN-3rd) have introduced a farm bill that they
October 11, 2011 Read Full Article
SarTec Corporation Awarded $500,000 Department of Energy Grant
(PR NewsWire/SarTec) SarTec Corporation announced today it has received a $500,000 Department of Energy grant (Award # DE-EE0003127) as part of a larger project
October 05, 2011 Read Full Article
SAFER Makes Information about Farm Bill Energy Program Proposed Cuts
(Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance) As you know, Congress is in the midst of negotiations regarding FY2012 appropriations
September 22, 2011 Read Full Article
Farmers Sought for Biofuel Project
(The Record) Farm officials, hoping to get California farmers to plant as much as 25,000 acres of camelina, an oilseed,
August 23, 2011 Read Full Article
BCAP Helps Abengoa Solve Chicken-and-Egg Feedstock Issue
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) With help from the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program, Abengoa is on its way
August 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Cantwell Applauds Launch of Jet Biofuels Program that Will Support Green Jobs Statewide
(AirportBusiness.com) Today (August 9, 2011) U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) toured the cutting-edge laboratories at Targeted Growth in Seattle and
August 10, 2011 Read Full Article
USDA Awards $45 Million to Four New BCAP Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program
July 29, 2011 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Projects to Provide Increased Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Reliance on Foreign Oil
(US Department of Agriculture) Projects Further Obama Administration's Effort to Produce Clean Home-Grown Energy, Create Sustainable Rural Jobs Agriculture Secretary Tom
June 17, 2011 Read Full Article
US Senate Defeats Coburn Amendment: Industry Reaction
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, on a cloture vote in the Senate to proceed to an amendment that
June 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Next-Gen Biofuel Depends on Subsidies, Senate Told
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) Even as President Barack Obama renewed his push for next-generation biofuels, an industry official
April 04, 2011 Read Full Article
Farmers Now Delivering Biomass to POET's Project LIBERTY Storage Site
(POET) First farmers completed BCAP applications Monday Farmers are now delivering biomass bales to POET's 22-acre storage site in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the
February 01, 2011 Read Full Article
House Votes to Extend Ethanol, Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Tax Credits; Senate Drops Biofuels-Slashing Omnibus Bill
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US House of Representatives voted by a 277 to 148 margin to approve the Obama