Federal Funding Opportunities
Presented to
Bioenergy 101
Presented at
Warrensburg, Missouri
Presented by
Don Day
Extension Associate Energy
University of Missouri
Compiled by:
Dr. James R. Fischer
Senior Scientific Advisor
Undersecretary of Agriculture for Research,
Education and Economics
November 24–25, 2008
The Urgency
 In a preview of its soon-to-be-released report on global trends, the
U.S. National Intelligence Council envisions a world which is
reshaped by globalization, battered by climate change, and
destabilized by regional upheavals over shortages of food, water,
and energy (Global Trends 2025, National Intelligence Council).
 In a separate report, the National Intelligence Council identifies
biofuels and bio-based chemicals as one of six potentially
disruptive civil or dual use technologies that could emerge by 2025.
The Council defines a disruptive technology as a technology with
the potential to cause a noticeable degradation or enhancement in
one of the elements of U.S. national power (geopolitical, military,
economic, or social cohesion).
U.S. and Bioenergy
 In the United States, funding for biofuels
research has increased, and various
Federal and state policies encourage
deployment of biofuel technologies.
 There are currently over 130 ethanol
refineries in operation and 77 more new plants or capacity
expansions underway. There are also 105 commercial
biodiesel refineries in operation.
 In addition, Federal and private funding is developing and
deploying next generation biofuel technologies: fuels made
from nonfood feedstocks such as cellulose or algae.
Bioenergy – A Hot Topic
in the News
Producing New U.S. Energy Crops
by the Barrel
Brazilian companies to push for
cellulosic ethanol
By Don Comis, October 10, 2008
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Ill.,
have produced oils of camelina, canola, Cuphea, lesquerella,
milkweed and pennycress by the barrelful in their commercialscale pilot plant.
These alternative crops may be able to provide alternative
domestic sources of industrial products ranging from soap to
biofuels for cars, trucks and—in the case of Cuphea—even jet
fuel.
Plant physiologist Russ Gesch and colleagues at the ARS North
Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris,
Minn., have studied Cuphea since 1999. They work closely
with companies such as Procter & Gamble of Cincinnati, Ohio .
..
Read more at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/ 081010.htm
World Food Day stresses climate
change and bioenergy effects on poor
The poor will suffer most
10 October 2008, Rome – Climate change and bioenergy are the
focus of this year’s World Food Day activities, expected to
involve over 150 countries. FAO celebrates World Food Day
each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was
founded in 1945.
“Global warming is already underway and adaptation strategies
are now a matter of urgency, especially for the most vulnerable
poor countries. Hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers,
fishers and forest-dependent people will be worst hit by climate
change . . .”
Read more at:
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/
1000934/index.html
Big step forward for biodiesel industry
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 4:22 PM
by Julie Harker
The initiative includes Brazil's leading sugar and ethanol
producer, Copersucar, the country's Sugar Cane Industry
Association, Unica, and the local subsidiary of
commodities giant Bunge (BG.N: Quote, Profile,
Research, Stock Buzz) . . .
Long awaited fuel specifications for biodiesel blends above B5
have been approved and the announcement came this morning
from the National Biodiesel Board technical director Steve
Howell who says it’s a big step forward for the biodiesel
industry, “We’re very happy that after beginning the effort in
1993 we have a set of blended fuel specs that the industry can
use moving forward.”
Howell says the specifications are set on a performance basis for
a diesel engine, not on the feedstock or the production process.
He says it took the cooperation of engine, petroleum and
biodiesel interests as well as government, military, research and
academia to come up with these standards . . .
Read more at:
http://www.brownfieldnetwork.com/gestalt/go.
cfm?objectid=FD3C6033-5056-B82A-D06
DAE32439CAAFC
SAO PAULO, Oct 14 (Reuters) - A group of Brazilian
companies and industrial organizations will set up a joint
venture to finance research in cellulosic ethanol, a
director at the Sao Paulo Industry Federation (Fiesp) said
on Tuesday.
Read more at:
http://www.reuters.com/article/ rbssFinancial
ServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSN1453616
720081014
Retooled Approach May Make
Bio-based Butanol More Competitive
with Ethanol
By Jan Suszkiw, October 16, 2008
A modified method of producing biobutanol could make the
fuel more competitive with ethanol as a clean-burning
alternative to gasoline.
According to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) chemical
engineer Nasib Qureshi, biobutanol offers several
advantages. It can be transported in existing pipelines, it's
less corrosive, it can be mixed with gasoline or used alone in
internal combustion engines, and it packs more energy per
gallon than ethanol . . .
Read more at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081016.htm
4
Unique Time in History
In ways both large and small we find ourselves at a
unique time in history:
 One in which both environmental and energy progress
are integrally linked rather than oppositional.
 One in which clean-energy and carbon-reduction
products and services offer the promise of economic
development competitiveness.
 One in which such diverse business, investment, and
political luminaries as Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens,
Andy Grove, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are calling for
seemingly audacious goals to meet increasingly large
portions of our energy needs from clean-energy
generation and efficiency measures. Willie Nelson,
Richard Branson, and Vinod Khosla have been involved
in biofuels research and production.
5
Scope of Today’s Presentation
Policies and Funding to Promote
Bioenergy
 Federal
 State
 Climate Action Plans
USDA Bioenergy Activities
 Strategic Energy Science Plan
 BioEnergy Awareness Days
 Building Partnerships
– REE Energy Summit on Partnerships
– National Biofuels Action Plan
6
Policies and Funding to Promote
Bioenergy
 Federal
 State
 Climate Action Plans
7
President George W. Bush –
2006 State of the Union Address
 Keeping America competitive requires
affordable energy. And here we have a
serious problem:
 "America is addicted to oil, which is
often imported from unstable parts of
the world."
 "The best way to break this addiction is
through technology.”
 …. and we are on the threshold of
incredible advances…
 “…. replace more than 75 percent of our
oil imports from the Middle East by
2025.”
Capitol,
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006
White House photo by Eric Draper
“By applying the talent and technology of America, this country can
 dramatically improve our environment,
 move beyond a petroleum-based economy, and
 make our dependence on Middle Eastern oil a thing of the past.”
Advanced Energy Initiative
“Change how we power our
automobiles”
 Advanced battery technologies –
plug-in hybrids
 Cellulosic ethanol costs
 Hydrogen fuel cells
by 2020
“Change how we power our homes and
offices”
 Clean Coal
 Nuclear Energy
 Renewable Energy
Biofuels Initiative
The Biofuels Initiative objective is to foster the production of biofuels to replace
more than 75 percent of our oil imports from the Middle East by 2025 (+$53M)
Achieving this ambitious goal
will require looking at corn and
other biomass resources to Biomass Program will initiate a
produce ethanol, including: major solicitation in FY 2007 to
validate near-term ethanol
Benefits (2030): Develop
– Agricultural crops & residues
biorefineries in collaboration
technologies to enable US to
– Woody plants & grasses
st
with industry (1 validation will
displace 2.6 MMbbl/d oil
occur in FY 2009)
equivalent, keeping $44 billion in
the US economy to create jobs
at home
Twenty In Ten: Strengthening
America's Energy Security
 During his 2007 State of the Union Address, President Bush
announced the goal of reducing U.S. gasoline usage by 20
Percent In The Next Ten Years – “Twenty In Ten.” Goals
include:
– Increasing the supply of renewable and alternative fuels by setting a
mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and
alternative fuels in 2017 – nearly five times the 2012 target now in law.
– Reforming and modernizing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
standards for cars and extending the current Light Truck rule.
Feds Seek to Ignite
Bioenergy Research
In June 2007, the Department of Energy
(DOE) announced it would invest $375 million over
the next five years on three new Bioenergy Research
Centers.
The three DOE Bioenergy Research Centers—
located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Madison,
Wisconsin; and near Berkeley, California.
These centers bring together multidisciplinary teams
of leading scientists to advance research needed to
make cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels
commercially viable on a national scale, a key part of
President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative Twenty
in Ten Plan.
Federal Policies & Bioenergy
 The Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140), also known
as the 2007 energy bill, significantly
expands existing programs to promote
biofuels.
 The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (P.L. 110-246), also known as the
2008 farm bill, contains a distinct energy title
(Title IX) that covers a wide range of energy
and agricultural topics with extensive
attention to biofuels, including corn-starch
based ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and
biodiesel. Included $1 billion in mandatory
funding for energy activities.
13
Key Biofuels-related Provisions
of Energy and Farm Bills
 Reauthorization of biofuels research and development at the U.S.
Department of Energy [EISA] and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and Environmental Protection Agency [farm bill];
 A major expansion of the renewable fuel standard (RFS) established
in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) [EISA];
 Expansion and/or modification of tax credits for ethanol [farm bill];
 Grants and loan guarantees for biofuels (especially cellulosic) research,
development, deployment, and production [EISA, farm bill];
 Studies of the potential for ethanol pipeline transportation, expanded
biofuel use, market and environmental impacts of increased biofuel
use, and the effects of biodiesel on engines [EISA, farm bill];
 Expansion of biofuel feedstock availability [farm bill]; and
 Reduction of the blender tax credit for corn-based ethanol, a new
production tax credit for cellulosic ethanol, and continuation of the
import duty on ethanol [farm bill].
Source: Biofuels Provisions in the 2007 Energy Bill and the 2008 Farm Bill: A Side-by-Side Comparison, CRS Report for
Congress, Updated June 27, 2008. http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34239.pdf
14
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008 Biofuel
Provisions: Research
Topic
Current or Prior Law
Energy Independence and Security Act
(P.L. 110-140)
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
Biorefinery Energy
Efficiency
The DOE is directed to conduct research
on commercial applications of biomass
and bioenergy. [P.L. 109-58, Sec. 932],
[42 U.S.C. 16232]
Amends Sec. 932 of P.L. 109-58 to include
research on energy efficiency at
biorefineries and on technology to convert
existing corn-based ethanol plants to
process cellulosic materials. [Sec. 224]
No comparable provision.
Cellulosic Ethanol and
Biofuels Research
No prior provision.
Authorizes the DOE to provide biofuels
R&D grants to 10 institutions from landgrant colleges, Historically Black Colleges
or Universities, tribal serving institutions, or
Hispanic serving institutions. $50 million for
FY2008 is authorized to be appropriated, to
be available until expended. [Sec. 230]
No comparable provision.
Lifecycle Analysis
Tools for Evaluating
the Energy
Consumption and
Greenhouse Gas
Emissions from
Biofuels
No prior provision.
DOE is required to study and develop tools
for evaluating the lifecycle energy
consumption and the potential for
greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels.
[Sec. 232(b)]
Requires USDA to support research on
making a farm or ranch energy-neutral.
[Sec. 7207]
Small-Scale
Production and Use of
Biofuels
No prior provision.
Amends the Biofuels Research and
Development Act of 2000 to require the
Secretary of Agriculture to establish a R&D
program to facilitate small-scale production
and local and on farm use of biofuels.
[Sec. 232(c)]
Requires USDA support of on-farm energy
conservation and renewable energy
production. [Sec 7207]
Bioenergy Research
Centers
DOE is required to establish a program of
R&D and demonstration of microbial and
plant systems biology, protein science,
and computational biology. Biomedical
research and research related to humans
are not permitted as part of the program.
[Energy Policy Act of 2005, P.L. 109-58,
Sec. 977], [42 U.S.C. 16232]
Requires the establishment of at least
seven research centers that focus on
bioenergy to be included in the R&D
program established in Sec. 977 of P.L.
109-58. [Sec. 233]
No comparable provision.
15
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008 Biofuel
Provisions: Research (cont’d)
Topic
Current or Prior Law
Energy Independence and Security Act
(P.L. 110-140)
Requires DOE to establish a program of
competitive grants to institutions of higher
education for research on renewable
energy technologies. Each grant may not
exceed $2 million. A total of $25 million in
discretionary appropriations is authorized
for the program. [Sec. 234]
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
University Based
Research and
Development Grant
Program
No prior provision.
No comparable provision.
Bioenergy Research
Provides for research and development
appropriations for bioenergy.
[7 U.S.C. 3154]
Biochar Research,
Development and
Demonstration
No current provision.
No comparable provision.
Research on biochar (biomass charcoal)
production and sequestration is included as
a high-priority research and extension area
the Research Title. [Sec. 7204]
Agricultural Bioenergy
Feedstock and Energy
Efficiency Research
and Extension Initiative
The Biomass Research and Development
Act of 2000 (reauthorized by the 2002
farm bill) provides competitive funding for
R&D and demonstration projects on
biofuels and bio-based chemicals and
products, administered jointly by USDA
and DOE. Specified mandatory CCC
funding of $5 million in FY2002 and
$14 million annually for FY2003- FY2007
to remain available until expended. Also
authorized appropriations of $200 million
for each of FY2006-FY2015. [P.L. 107171, Sec. 9008], [7 U.S.C. 5925]
No comparable provision.
Establishes the Agricultural Bioenergy
Feedstock and Energy Efficiency Research
and Extension Initiative in Title VII
(Research) to improve biomass, production,
biomass conversion in biorefineries, and
biomass use. Provides grants of up to 50%
of cost for energy efficient research and
extension projects. Establishes a best
practices database of biomass crops.
Authorized appropriations of $50 million
annually for FY2008-12. [Sec. 7207]
Section 1419 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3154) is repealed.
Funding for related biomass research
through USDA is contained in Title VII Sec.
7207 of the farm bill. [Sec. 7110]
16
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008 Biofuel
Provisions: Research (cont’d)
Energy Independence and Security
Act (P.L. 110-140)
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
Topic
Current or Prior Law
Research, Extension,
and Educational
Programs on Biobased
Energy Technologies
and Products
The “Sun Grant” program established 5
national sun grant research centers
based at land-grant universities and each
covering a different region. The purpose is
to enhance coordination and collaboration
between USDA, DOE, and land-grant
universities in the development,
distribution, and implementation of
biobased energy technologies. Authorized
appropriations of $25 million in FY2005,
$50 million in FY2006, and $75 million
annually for FY2007-FY2010. [7 U.S.C.
8109]
No comparable provision.
Continues sun grant program. Provides matching
grants to land grant institutions to develop,
distribute, and implement biobased energy
technologies and to promote diversification and
sustainability of agricultural production, and
economic diversification in rural areas through
biobased energy and product technologies.
Establishes a Sun Grant Information Analysis
Center. Requires annual reports. Discretionary
funds of $75 million for FY2008-12 are
authorized. [Sec. 7526]
Biomass Research
and Development
Section 9008. The program — created
originally under the Biomass Research
and Development Act (BRDA) of 2000 —
provides competitive funding for research,
development, and demonstration projects
on biofuels and bio-based chemicals and
products, administered jointly by USDA
and DOE. Specified mandatory CCC
funding of $5 million in FY2002 and
$14 million for each of FY2003 through
FY2007 (available until expended).
Additional appropriation authority of
$200 million for each of FY2006 through
FY2015. [7 U.S.C. 8101]
No comparable provision.
New section 9008. Defines biobased product.
Provides for coordination of biomass research
and development between USDA and DOE.
Establishes the Biomass Research and
Development Board and the Biomass Research
and Development technical Advisory Committee
to assist the Board in coordinating biomass
research in the Federal government. USDA and
DOE are to establish a Biomass Research and
Development Initiative to competitively award
grants, contracts, and financial assistance for
research on biofuels and biobased products
production, and biobased feedstocks and
development. Grants are to be awarded to
universities, national laboratories, state and
federal research agencies, private businesses,
and nonprofits. Mandatory funding is authorized of
$20 million for FY2009, $28 million for FY2010,
$30 million for FY2011, and $40 million for
FY2012. Discretionary funding of $35 million
annually is authorized to be appropriated for
FY2009-12. [Sec. 9001]
17
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008 Biofuel
Provisions: Research (cont’d)
Topic
Forest
Biomass for
Energy
Program
Current or Prior Law
No current provision.
Energy Independence
and Security Act (P.L.
110-140)
No comparable
provision.
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
New section 9012. Requires the
Forest Service to conduct a
competitive research and
development program to
encourage use of forest
biomass for energy. Priority
given to projects that utilize
low-value forest byproducts,
integrate the production of
energy from forest biomass with
existing manufacturing streams,
develop new transportation
fuels from forest biomass, or
improve the production of forest
biomass feedstocks.
Appropriations of $15 million
per year are authorized for
FY2009-12. [Sec. 9001]
18
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008
Biofuel Provisions: Education
Topic
Current or Prior Law
Energy Independence and
Security Act (P.L. 110-140)
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
Consumer
Information
No prior provision.
The Dept. of Transportation is
required to carry out an
educational program to inform
consumers about the fuel savings
and emissions benefits of new
vehicles, including the benefits
from the use of alternative fuels.
[Sec. 105]
No comparable provision.
Federal
Procurement of
Biobased
Products
Under the 2002 farm bill, federal agencies are
required to purchase biobased products under
certain conditions. Current law authorizes a
voluntary biobased labeling program. USDA
regulations define biobased products, identify
biobased product categories, and specify the
criteria (including testing) for qualifying those
products for preferred procurement. Mandatory
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding of
$1 million was authorized for each of FY2002FY2007 for testing biobased products. [P.L. 107171, Sec. 9002], [7 U.S.C. 8102]
No comparable provision.
New section 9002. Renames as the Biobased
Markets Program. Extends the program through
FY2012 and refines federal procurement rules for
biobased products. Requires federal agencies to
maximize procurement of biobased products and
submit reports to Congress. Continues voluntary
labeling. Establishes testing centers and
education grants. Authorizes mandatory funding
of $1 million for FY2008 and $2 million annually
for FY2009-12. Discretionary funding of $2 million
in annual appropriations is authorized for FY200812. [Sec. 9001]
Biodiesel Fuel
Education
Program
Awards competitive grants to nonprofit
organizations that educate governmental and
private entities operating vehicle fleets, and
educate the public about the benefits of biodiesel
fuel use. Mandatory CCC funding of $1 million
annually was authorized for FY2003- FY2007. [P.L.
107-171, Sec. 9004], [7 U.S.C. 8104]
No comparable provision.
New section 9006. Extends the Biodiesel Fuel
Education Program through FY2012. Provides
mandatory CCC funding of $1 million annually for
FY2008-12. [Sec. 9001]
19
Key EISA and Farm Bill 2008 Biofuel
Provisions: Education (cont’d)
Topic
Current or Prior Law
Energy Independence and
Security Act (P.L. 110-140)
2008 Farm Bill
(P.L. 110-246)
Renewable
Energy Systems
and Energy
Efficiency
Improvements
Authorizes loans, loan guarantees, and grants to
farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to
purchase and install renewable energy systems
and to make energy efficiency improvements.
Mandatory CCC funding of $23 million annually
for FY2003-FY2007. [P.L. 107-171, Sec. 9006], [7
U.S.C. 8106]
No comparable provision.
New section 9007. Renamed as the “Rural Energy
for America Program,” Funds energy audits for
state agencies, cooperatives, educational
institutions and utilities. Provides grants, loan
guarantees and incentive payments for energy
efficiency and renewable energy, and manure-toenergy projects. Reserves 20% for small projects.
Mandatory funds of $55 million for FY2009,
$60 million for FY2010, $70 million for FY2011,
and $70 million for FY2012. Discretionary
appropriations of $25 million annually for FY200912 are authorized. [Sec. 9001]
University Based
Research and
Development
Grant Program
No prior provision.
Requires DOE to establish a
program of competitive grants to
institutions of higher education
for research on renewable energy
technologies. Each grant may not
exceed $2 million. A total of
$25 million in discretionary
appropriations is authorized for
the program. [Sec. 234]
No comparable provision.
Research,
Extension, and
Educational
Programs on
Biobased Energy
Technologies and
Products
The “Sun Grant” program established 5 national
sun grant research centers based at land-grant
universities and each covering a different region.
The purpose is to enhance coordination and
collaboration between USDA, DOE, and land-grant
universities in the development, distribution, and
implementation of biobased energy technologies.
Authorized appropriations of $25 million in
FY2005, $50 million in FY2006, and $75 million
annually for FY2007-FY2010. [7 U.S.C. 8109]
No comparable provision.
Continues sun grant program. Provides matching
grants to land grant institutions to develop,
distribute, and implement biobased energy
technologies and to promote diversification and
sustainability of agricultural production, and
economic diversification in rural areas through
biobased energy and product technologies.
Establishes a Sun Grant Information Analysis
Center. Requires annual reports. Discretionary
funds of $75 million for FY2008-12 are authorized.
[Sec. 7526]
20
Energy and the
Obama Administration
The energy future looks bright with the Obama
administration. He has consistently voted for renewables
and even used the word “biofuels” in his speeches.
Highlights of his proposed energy plan include…
 Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over
the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
 Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars – cars that can get up to 150 miles per
gallon – on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built
here in America.
 Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by
2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
 Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
States with Mandates and
Incentives Promoting Biofuels
Renewable Fuels Standards with Biofuel Mandates
Excise Tax Exemptions, Tax Credits, and/or Grants
Promoting Biofuel Production and Use
Source: http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/map_ethanol.cfm July 2007.
22
Missouri Voters Approve a
Renewable Energy Requirement
 Missouri voters approved a measure requiring state's investor-owned utilities to
use renewable energy for 15% of their electricity supply by 2021. The renewable
requirement starts at 2% of sales in 2011 and gradually ratchets up to the 15%
requirement by 2021.
 The Missouri Clean Energy Initiative, or Proposition C, passed easily, garnering
approval from 66% of the state's voters and passing in every county but one.
 The ballot measure also allows utilities to buy their renewable power from out of
state and to meet up to 100% of the requirement through the purchase of
renewable energy credits (RECs), which can be bought from renewable energy
facilities throughout the country.
 According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE),
28 states and the District of Columbia now have a mandatory requirement for
renewable energy use.
State Governments Taking Steps
to Mitigate Carbon Emissions
ND
In February 2007, this region ME
WA
agreedpassed
to set alegislation
cap for
WI California
SD
VT
MI
requiring
25%
cut in carbon
carbon
emissions
before theNH
OR
IA
NY
emissions
by
2020
totoreduce
end
of
2007
and
establish
NE
MA
Regional Greenhouse
Gas
OH
IN
IL
emissions
to 1990
levelssystem CT RI
an
emission
trading
Initiative has target of
KS
MO
PA
by
August 2008
NJ
stopping
emissions
increase
Nine Midwestern governors
CA
by 2009; reducing them by and two Canadian
MD
DE
premiers
have signed on to participate
10% from
2005 levels by 2019
AZ
NM
or observe in the Midwestern
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Accord (Accord) as first
agreed to November 2007.
MN
Other states
and cities
have also
taken action
24
Biofuels Part of Low-Carbon Fuel
Standard Strategy in California
 Global Warming Solutions Act passed by California Legislature
(2006) – adopted regulations to control GHG emissions, starting no
later than 2012.
 Subsequent Executive Order (S-1-07) for the Low Carbon Fuel
Standard (LCFS) in January 2007, set a statewide goal to reduce
the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuels at least 10
percent by 2020.
 Recent report* states:
“We find it possible to either manufacture a significant
amount of low-carbon fuel within California or to import
it from outside the state. Many of the low carbon fuels
expected to be commercially available in large
quantities within the 2020 time horizon are biofuels.”
* A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard for California, Part 1: Technical Analysis August 1, 2007, Project Directors, Alexander E.
Farrell, UC Berkeley www.its.berkeley.edu/sustainabilitycenter and Daniel Sperling, UC Davis www.its.ucdavis.edu;
http://www.energy.ca.gov/low_carbon_fuel_standard/UC-1000-2007-002-PT1.PDF
25
USDA Bioenergy Activities:
 Strategic Energy Science Plan
 BioEnergy Awareness Days
 Building Partnerships
–REE Energy Summit on Partnerships
–National Biofuels Action Plan
26
REE Energy Plan
 Energy is a national and
international problem.
 USDA/REE and the land grants
have a major role in the solution of
this problem through research,
education, and extension.
 REE/USDA has developed a
strategic energy plan to address
these issues.
 Goals of the plan include:
– Sustainable agriculture- and
natural resource-based energy
production;
– Sustainable bioeconomies for rural
communities;
– Efficient use of energy and energy
conservation; and
– Workforce development for the
bioeconomy
27
Goal Action Teams to
Implement USDA Energy Plan
 35 teams comprised of individuals from USDA and other organizations are
working to implement the 4 Plan goals. Various team objectives are listed
below.
 Goal 1. Sustainable Agriculture and Natural ResourceBased Energy Production
– Identify research needs related to feedstock genetic and
genomic resources
– Conduct economic analysis of sustainable feedstock
production and logistics
– Evaluate bioproducts that could replace products currently
made from petroleum
 Goal 2. Sustainable Bioeconomies for Rural
Communities
– Inventory research assessing the implications of bioenergy for agricultural producers
and rural communities
– Inventory existing community and farmer decision tools related to energy, e.g. tillage
energy estimator and others
28
Goal Action Teams (continued)
 Goal 3. Efficient Use of Energy and Energy Conservation
– Establish a National Energy Extension and eXtension
community of practice for home energy with DOE and LGU
participation
– Develop a MOU for cooperation between National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and USDA/REE
for cooperation in addressing energy efficiency in rural
areas
– Establish metrics for measuring energy intensity of
agricultural production
 Goal 4. Workforce Development for the Bioeconomy
– Complete education roadmap
– Finalize funding strategy to increase investment in
education
– Develop and implement series of education programs
29
Science and Education
Is The Power to Move us
Down the Road of the Future
Renewables – Geothermal, Solar, Hydrogen, Biomass, Wind
Technology
Disciplines
such as
Science and
Engineering
Social
Disciplines
such as
Economics,
Marketing,
and
Psychology
Energy Efficiency – Buildings, Vehicles, Industrial & Distributed Energy 30
Biotechnology Education
Programs Increasing
 K-8: South Carolina Ag in the Classroom )
(SC Farm Bureau)
 High Schools:
– A November New York Times article discusses
high schools in San Francisco have one of the
most sophisticated biotech programs in the
country, perhaps because of the city’s proximity to
thriving biotech companies.
 Universities:
– Kansas State University's Center for Sustainable
Energy (consolidating university-wide work on
bioenergy)
–
Biorenewable Resources and Technology (BRT)
at Iowa State University
 Workforce Development: Michigan State
University & Lansing Community College
providing biorefinery operations training for
approximately 600 workers and students in its
first two years of operation
31
MU Center for Sustainable
Energy
 CAFNR
 College of Engineering
 Involves
– Research
– Teaching
– Extensioin
32
The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAEN)
and the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences (SCSC) at Texas A&M
University invite applications for 3 minority USDA National Needs
Fellowships at the Doctorate level. These fellowships are available
immediately for students in engineering and soil and crop sciences
for bioenergy research.
Research Areas: The selected candidates will pursue a Doctor of
Philosophy degree in either the BAEN Dept. (engineering students)
or the SCSC Dept. to develop sustainable bioenergy systems.
For more information please see our website at:
http://baen.tamu.edu/academics/nnf/bioenergy
33
BioEnergy Awareness Days (BEAD) –
An Integral Part of Energy Plan
Bio Energy Awareness Days (BEAD) is an annual celebration held on the
Summer Solstice to acknowledge the ultimate source of energy is the sun.
The purpose of this second annual event
(BEAD II) is to help increase awareness and
knowledge related to the sustainable
production of agriculture, forest, and natural
resource-based renewable energy and
bioproducts; sustainable bioeconomies; the
efficient use and conservation of energy for
the benefit of rural communities and the
Nation; and related workforce development.
34
The Second Annual BioEnergy
Awareness Days (BEAD II)
 BEAD II was held from June 19-22, 2008
during the Summer Solstice. Organized by
USDA/REE and co-sponsored by the
25X'25 Alliance. The event included:
– The Grand Challenge competition for
colleges of agriculture at land grants and
other institutions of higher education
(13 winners)
– Exhibits of technologies that universities
are developing for the new energy
economy involving agriculture
(31 universities)
– "Power Plant Garden" at the U.S. National
Arboretum
35
36
POWER Plants
U. S. National Arboretum
Corn
Switchgrass
Barley
Hybrid popular
Sorghum
Miscanthus
Sugar beet
Alfalfa
Sunflower
Mustard
Soybean
Canola
Sugar cane
Jatropha
Camelina
Castor bean
Peanut
Lesquerella
Cuphea
Babassou Palm
African Oil Palm
Algae
37
Bradford Farm BioFuel Garden
Crops Include
 Peanuts
 Sweet sorghum
 Easter Gammagrass
 Forage sorghum
 Miscanthus
 Canola
 Sunflowers
 Indiangrass
 Big Bluestem
 Sugarcane
 Sugar beets
 Soybean
 Corn
 Switchgrass
39
USDA/REE Energy Summit
Energy is a complex topic and it
will take considerable effort to
make changes:
 “Complex things are a
gathering of many simple
things.”
 “There is no magic.
Spectacular success results
from unspectacular
preparation.”
40
USDA/REE Energy Summit (cont’d)
Requirements for building effective partnerships
include:
 Close the “Value Gap” which is the high-cost
disconnect between value promised and value
achieved.
 Develop more “interactive” than “reactive”
relationships.
 Mitigate the three challenges of collaboration:
– Change
– Cast of Characters
– Culture
41
USDA/REE Energy Summit (cont’d)
Focus on the psychology of change is characteristic
of successful partnerships.
Attributes of successful collaborations include:
 A joint work product;
 Commitment to a common purpose;
 Shifting leadership rather than a requirement to
report to one individual;
 Non autocratic teams that contain the emotional
and spiritual energy that is needed for collaboration;
 Availability of many “soft” skills such as emotional intelligence including
personal competence (self awareness and self-management and social
competence – social awareness and relationship management).
42
Take-Home Message from the
USDA/REE Energy Summit
1.Partnerships are necessary.
2.Partnerships require new and innovative tools.
3.Partnerships require innovative management.
4.Partnerships require having the right people at the table.
43
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
BIOECONOMY FUTURE
44
Joint DOE/USDA National
Biofuels Action Plan
 DOE and USDA released on October 7 the
National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP)
 This is an interagency plan that details the
collaborative efforts of federal agencies to
accelerate the development of a sustainable fuel
industry.
 The NBAP outlines interagency actions in
7 areas:
– Sustainability
– Feedstock production
– Feedstock logistics
– Conversion science and technology
– Distribution infrastructure
– Blending
– Environment, health and safety
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/nbap.pdf
45
Some suggestions:
46
Together –
We Can Build a
Prosperous Bioeconomy Future
Where we will:
Transition to a carbohydrate-based economy
Produce our products and fuels in biorefineries
Improve national security and the U.S. trade balance
Realize important environmental benefits
Develop significant, new sustainable economic
opportunities for rural America
 Lead exploiting these technologies to other countries.
47