Report posted June 12, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. CST

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 8 that the USDA met its 30-day deadline to help produce more energy from homegrown, renewable sources. In May, President Obama asked the USDA to expedite the biofuels provisions of the energy title of the 2008 Farm Bill within this time period. "Further developing the biofuels industry helps create jobs and stimulates rural economies, an important part of getting our economy back on track," said Vilsack. "President Obama and I are committed to advancing clean and renewable energy as it creates jobs domestically and boosts tax revenues at all levels of government."

According to the USDA, a second round of applications for the Loan Guarantees for Biorefineries program is currently under review. These applications involve second- and third-generation biofuel technologies to produce cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, methane gas, and electricity. Awards for the second round of the program are projected for Sep. 15.

Under the Assistance for Biorefineries Replacing Fossil Fuels program, the USDA will provide up to $20 million to offer financial assistance to biorefineries to replace fossil fuels used to produce heat or operate biorefineries with renewable biomass.

USDA will also provide $30 million to provide payments to eligible agriculture producers to support and ensure an expanding production of advanced biofuels under a program titled Encourage Production of Next-Generation Biofuels.

Under the Rural Energy for America Program, the agency is accepting applications for feasibility studies, loan guarantees, and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements as well as for applications to conduct energy audits on behalf of agriculture producers and rural small businesses. These projects are designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation's critical energy needs.

In addition, the USDA is launching the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which will provide compensation for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass intended to meet the country's energy needs in a more sustainable manner. The program will provide financial assistance for delivery of eligible biomass material to conversion facilities that use biomass for heat, power, bio-based products or biofuels.