In an effort to boost up the production of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in six states, namely California, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington.
BCAP is an initiative designed to ensure the production of biofuel, which is enough to help the nation earn its energy independence. Under the program, farmers and forest land owners are assisted with start-up costs of planting non-food energy crops for conversion to heat, power, biobased products and advanced biofuels. The BCAP initiative promises to improve domestic energy security, reduce pollution and spur rural economic development and job creation.
In a press release, the officials said that two of the new BCAP project areas in California, Montana, Washington and Oregon, will grow camelina at a significant scale. Camelina is an oilseed, which can be grown as rotation crop for wheat on marginally productive land. Biofuel from camelina is an ideal jet fuel substitute.
Another BCAP project area, part of an effort sponsored by cellulosic biofuels company ZeaChem, has been earmarked for the growth of hybrid poplar trees in Oregon.
Additionally, a BCAP project area in Kansas and Oklahoma, sponsored by Abengoa Biofuels, has been designated to grow up to 20,000 acres of switchgrass.
The agriculture department claimed that the projects will turn out to be great job-spinner. According to industry estimates, these projects will create more than 3,400 jobs in the biorefinery, agriculture and supporting sectors. At the full production level, the feedstocks are going to produce more than 2 million gallons of biofuels annually.
“The Obama Administration is committed to providing financial opportunities to rural communities, farmers and ranchers to produce biomass which will be converted to renewable fuels and increase America's energy independence. The selection of these project areas is another step in the effort to assist the nation's advanced biofuel industry to produce energy in commercial quantities from sustainable rural resources. This effort will create jobs and stimulate rural economies across the nation,” Vilsack announced in a statement.
USDA has allocated approximately $45 million for contracts that range between less than five years up to 15 years in the four project areas for producers who volunteer to enroll in BCAP.
Madhubanti Rudra is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
