USDA MEETS PRESIDENT OBAMA'S 30-DAY BIOFUELS DIRECTIVE TO HELP MEET COUNTRY'S ENERGY NEEDS

Programs Will Provide Critical Support to Nation's Biofuels Industry

Responding to President Obama's directive to expedite and increase the production of biofuels, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA met its 30-day deadline to help produce more energy from homegrown, renewable sources.

Said Tom Vilsack: "Further developing the biofuels industry helps create jobs and stimulates rural economies, an important part of getting our economy back on track," "President Obama and I are committed to advancing clean and renewable energy as it creates jobs domestically and boosts tax revenues at all levels of government."

On May 5, President Obama asked USDA to expedite the biofuels provisions of the energy title of the 2008 Farm Bill within 30 days, including the following:

Providing loan guarantees and grants for biorefineries

Expediting funding to encourage biorefineries to replace the use of fossil fuels in plant operations;

Expediting funding to encourage production of next-generation biofuels;

Expanding the Rural Energy for America Program; and

Providing guidance and support for collection, harvest, storage, and transportation in biomass conversion facilities.