By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor REYNOLDS, Ind. — During the BioTown USA Technology Suite groundbreaking on March 21 in Reynolds, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns visited to commend town officials on their progress toward creating a community reliant on renewable energy.
Johanns also previewed proposals regarding renewable energy in the upcoming 2007 farm bill.
“By promoting energy efficiency and the development of energy sources that are farm-based and renewable, we’re taking another step toward achieving the president’s goal of reducing America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent in 10 years,” said Johanns.
“We hope to dramatically expand renewable energy programs like these, as reflected in our 2007 farm bill proposals.”
Johanns previewed the proposals before visiting Purdue University to tour its bioenergy research laboratory and participate in a renewable energy roundtable, where he discussed specifics of the new renewable energy proposals.
He also announced the availability of $176.5 million in loan guarantees and $11.4 million in grants to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects by agricultural producers and small businesses.
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program was established under Section 9006 in the 2002 farm bill.
It provides loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems or for energy efficiency improvements.
These loans and grants are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by just under a metric ton, replace 821 million barrels of foreign oil and generate almost two million kilowatt hours of electricity annually for rural communities across the United States.
Johanns said BioTown serves as a model for rural communities. He cited $500,000 in recent funding to support Integrity Biofuels in Morristown, Ind., and its expansion to produce 14 million gallons of biodiesel from locally-grown Hoosier soybeans.
He also described a $1.6 billion commitment that includes funds to support $2.1 billion in guaranteed loans for cellulosic projects, $500 million for bioenergy and bio-based product research and $500 million for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency grants.
This boost in bioenergy spending will dedicate $150 million to biomass research, $150 million to wood-to-waste research and $100 million in direct support to producers of cellulosic ethanol through the Cellulosic Bioenergy Program.
“By pursuing this research, we have the opportunity to discover other innovative projects just like BioTown has done here in Reynolds,” said Johanns. “This is a dream, really – and a dream that I truly believe can come true, not only for the Reynolds community, but for the nation.”
Johanns and the Bush Administration challenge Americans to produce and consume nearly 35 billion gallons of biofuels per year within the next decade. The administration also proposes consumers reduce gas usage by nearly 20 billion gallons a year.
In a surprise announcement during his visit, Johanns said the United States has recently surpassed Brazil and is now the largest ethanol producer in the world.
He added the president “is counting on the American people to close the gap on where we are today and where we need to be” in energy independence by researching the possibilities within renewable fuels for our country and our nation.
This farm news was published in the March 28, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
