Posted October 23, 2013
Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, announced the
availability of $181 million to develop commercial-scale biorefineries or
retrofit existing facilities for advanced biofuels. According to the news release, available here,
the announcement is part of USDA’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.
The Biorefinery Assistance
Program was created through the 2008 farm bill and is administered by USDA
Rural Development. The program provides
loan guarantees to viable commercial-scale facilities to develop new and emerging
technologies for biofuels.
Vilsack said, “This financing will expand the number of
commercial biorefineries in operation in the U.S. that are producing advanced
biofuels from non-food sources…USDA’s Biorefinery Assistance Program is yet
another way USDA is helping to carry out the Obama Administration’s
‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy to develop every possible source of
American-made energy...These biorefineries are also creating lasting job
opportunities in rural America and are boosting the rural economy as well.”
The Advanced Biofuels Association lists more than 200
plants, including biodiesel makers, according to a Reuters article available here. Valero Inc. and Darling International
partnered to open a plant in June, which is set to produce 137 million gallons
of renewable diesel fuel a year.
Michael McAdams, head of the biofuels trade group, said
the offer of loan guarantees would be “incredibly helpful” to smaller companies
that want to expand production.
For more information on biofuels, please visit the
National Agricultural Law Center’s Renewable Energy reading room available here.
