Today, Congressman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, held a hearing to review opportunities and challenges facing the development of next generation biofuels.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided testimony about USDA research and financing activities for next generation biofuels. Witnesses representing companies and organizations focused on developing advanced biofuels also testified, updating the Subcommittee about the current and future direction of the industry.
“The message we heard loud and clear today is that in this changing market, it is critical to build and strengthen public and private partnerships. If we are serious about the next generation of biofuels, we must seek constant and stable federal policies, do more to help spur private investment and encourage further research on feedstock development. I am optimistic about agriculture's continued role in promoting production and use of renewable energy here at home." Subcommittee Chairman Holden said.
“Advanced biofuels technology has enormous opportunity to create renewable fuels across the nation. Research in this area has the potential to be a bridge technology between agriculture, energy, and biotechnology, but these goals can only be accomplished if we can meet our energy needs without the requirement of government mandates," Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte of Virginia said.
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
Panel I
* Mr. Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
* Dr. Rajiv Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Panel II
* Ms. Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director, Algal Biomass Association, Preston, Minnesota
* Ms. Susan Ellerbusch, President, BP Biofuels North America LLC, Warrenville, Illinois
* Mr. William J. Roe, President and CEO, Coskata, Inc., Warrenville, Illinois
* Mr. Bruce Jamerson, Chairman of the Board, Mascoma, Lebanon, New Hampshire
* Mr. Craig Shealy, President and CEO, Osage Bio Energy, LLC, Glen Allen, Virginia
http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov
Source: House Committee on Agriculture
