Biomass 2013: How The Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy

by Nicholas De Filippis (Advanced Biofuels USA) On July 31 experts on bio-based products from around the world converged on the Washington Convention Center to attend the two day Biomass 2013 Conference hosted by the U. S. Department of Energy and co-hosted by Advanced Biofuels U.S.A.
The conference was uplifting to those in the industry and showed that tremendous progress has been made in the past several years. While petroleum based products still control the economy, bio-based products are poised and ready to take over. Among the promising news was the successful commercialization of bio-based products, the increasing intent of the current administration to combat climate change, and the advancement of biotechnology.
The news given during the conference was quite heartening.

However, while the industry has made great progress, the future is darkened by the current political debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
In the beginning of the conference Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) opened up by stating, “It’s a critically important time for the bioenergy industry and particularly the advanced biofuel producers.” The debate over the RFS threatens the entire bioenergy industry, since many of the advancements have been due to the support from the RFS.
Senator Grassley made three points very clear. First, the bioenergy industry is improving the nation’s economy and environment. Second, the misinformation campaign created by opponents of the RFS is completely false. And finally, that this campaign is consistent and well-funded and to defeat it, all those involved in the bioenergy industry need to unite and make sure that the RFS is not changed or repealed and that the public knows the truth about bioenergy.
This message, and the sense of pressure, continued throughout the conference. Bob Dineen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association and one of the most passionate speakers I heard at the conference, made the point that the RFS created certainty in the industry which encouraged investment. He said that the bioenergy industry would continue to evolve but if the RFS were to be altered or repealed, the industry would be set back many years.
In her speech about Myriant, Susan Hager, senior vice president of Myriant, spoke of the need to pass the farm bill and keep the RFS in place. The success of Myraint has been in large part due to support from the government, particularly the Department of Energy. Without the support of federal government, the private industry would not have been able to make such progress.
This message was reiterated over and over again by other speakers. It was quite obvious that the industry is in danger and we must unite to protect it.
One moment in particular that gave me real thought was the speech by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
In the beginning of his speech he mentioned that he was glad to see the younger generation represented at the conference. However, I saw very few people there even close to my age.
How badly has my generation been represented at environmental conferences that less than ten people are worth notice? It made me think that, despite the low cost for students to come to these events, very few show up. There must be an increased focus to make the information available and to create incentives to bring more college age people to these conferences. It is something to work toward. READ MORE and MORE (Senator Charles Grassley's remarks; includes audio) See photos from the conference

Day 1 Breakfast Sponsor
National Biodiesel Board
Conference Exhibitors:
Advanced Biofuels Association
Algae Biomass Organization
Bergeson & Campbell, PC
Biotechnology Industry Organizatin
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Herty Advanced Materials Development Center
Idaho National Laboratory
Lawrence Berkeley national laboratory
National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
North Central Regional Sun Grant Center
Oak Ridge National laboratory
Old Town Fuel and Fiber
Sapphire Energy
Sourthern Research Institute
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
United Sorghum Checkoff Program
United States Department of Agriculture

Advertisers in Exhibit Program and Conference Bags
Archer Daniels Midland
BBI International (Biomass Magazine)
Bergeson & Campbell/Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group
Myriant
Sterne Kessler Goldstein Fox
W.R. Grace

Shared Table Information
BioCycle Magazine
Gasification Technologies Council
Sterne Kessler Goldstein Fox