Helping Trump Help Bioenergy

Agriculture (USDA)Defense (DOD)Energy (DOE)Environmental Protection Agency Federal Agency/Executive Branch Federal Regulation Food and Drug Administration National Science Foundation Opinions Policy State Department White House

May 17, 2017

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by Douglas L. Faulkner (Cleantech Conservative/Biofuels Digest) ... The Trump Administration’s two recent Executive Orders on “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth” and especially, “Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America” (March 28 & April 25, respectively), not only highlight renewable energy/fuels, but also explicitly seek input from the private sector on breaking down legislative, regulatory and policy barriers. (www.whitehouse.gov Presidential actions/Executive Orders)

A 10-Point Plant

So, my strong recommendation would be to give the President exactly what he really wants: a basic roadmap for a bioenergy renaissance. Surely, companies, separately or in league with their associations, can readily offer up creative suggestions to cut government-imposed red tape and for new, innovative assistance by:

Focusing broadly on removing obstacles across the whole supply-chain, from feedstock production to feedstock logistics to conversion, distribution and end use.
Considering changes in approaches by not only the prime federal civilian agencies for the industry (Energy, Agriculture and Environmental Protection), but also Defense, National Science Foundation, State, Food & Drug, etc.
Digging into needed changes in their rule-making, funding practices and even fundamental priorities in farmer support; research & development; technical & commercial assistance; and, procurement programs.
Building upon existing structures and frameworks with proven track records, like the 2000 Biomass R&D Act.
Seeking new partnerships with academia; farmers; foresters; equipment, auto, truck, food and feed manufacturers; chemical, oil, gas and renewable energy producers; as well as state & local governments.
Highlighting competition and technology innovation in the new biorefineries making fuels, power, chemicals, food and feed.
Promoting the health and safety of American workers and rural communities, their quality of life and job prospects. Training and education should not be ignored.
Pushing the Administration to use all its tools for: encouraging developing countries to modernize their agriculture sectors and boost biofuels production; and, lowering global trade barriers to exports of U.S. expertise, equipment and fuels.
Overlaying environmental, economic and social sustainability collaborations on all recommendations to ensure the widest political support.
Prioritizing those recommendations that give the most bang for the least buck the fastest. READ MORE