Webinar: 90-Minute Introduction to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program

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Date: Thu, Jun 25, 2009
Time: 1:30 PM CDT
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Host(s): The Minnesota Project
AGENDA:
1:30-1:35 Introduction & Overview – Ryan Stockwell, Clean Energy Program Manager, The Minnesota Project
1:35-1:50 Implications for Biomass Crop Growers & Users – Joel Tallaksen, Gasification Project Coordinator, University of Minnesota Morris
1:50-2:15 A State’s Perspective on BCAP – Gary Radloff, Director of Policy and Strategic Communications, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
2:15-2:30 Federal Policy & Implementation Issues – Kelly S. Novak, Planning and Analysis, USDA Farm Service Agency
2:30-3:00 Question & Response Time

ABOUT BCAP:
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), created as a key provision in the 2008 Farm Bill, looks to promote the cultivation of perennial bioenergy crops that show exceptional promise for producing highly energy-efficient bioenergy crops that preserve natural resources and that are not primarily grown for food or animal feed.

BCAP will provide financial assistance to any biomass conversion facility or group of producers that contribute to the production of renewable biomass to use as an energy source. BCAP aims to relieve the dependency on commodity crops as an energy source and shift to less strained biomass materials.

The program is currently in the process of environmental assessment and rulemaking, and is projected to begin no earlier than spring 2010. However, the main structure of the statute remains intact and many want to see the program begin sooner—including President Obama—even if just in pilot form. This May, Obama formed an Interagency Biofuels Working Group and issued a directive to USDA Secretary Vilsack to accelerate investment in biofuels.

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