Bioenergy & Products Coordination Council

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION

Number:

9600-002

SUBJECT:

Biobased Products and Bioenergy Coordination Council

DATE:

August 26, 2002

OPI:

Research, Education and Economics

1 PURPOSE

This regulation sets forth the policy of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) with regard to the development, promotion, and use of biobased products and bioenergy from agricultural and forestry materials and to establish collaborative strategies and systems to accelerate such development.

2 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/CANCELLATION

This regulation supersedes Departmental Regulation 9600-2, “Industrial Products from Agricultural Materials,” dated February 22, 1991.

3 BACKGROUND

Research into the processing and use of agricultural and forestry materials in biobased products and bioenergy has been conducted for many years and the feasibility of such applications has been studied. Traditional and new agricultural and forestry materials can provide renewable raw materials for processing and manufacturing a broad range of chemical, energy, construction, environmental, fiber, and other products. Development and commercialization efforts can accelerate successful market penetration and provide new and expanded markets, diversify agriculture, and establish new business opportunities while fostering rural development

and sustainable development. Success can reduce dependency on foreign produced materials and products, enhance our trade balance, spur rural economic development, provide environmentally preferable products and processes, address air and water quality issues, stimulate market relevant research and development, and enhance return on investment from publicly funded research.

4 POLICY

USDA will facilitate and promote research, development, transfer of technology, commercialization, and marketing for biobased products and bioenergy using renewable domestic agricultural (plant, animal, marine) and forestry materials. Further, it is the policy of USDA to:

a Execute to the fullest extent possible, the policies, actions and goals described in Executive Order (E.O.) 13101, dated September 14, 1998, E.O. 13134, dated August 12, 1999, and related Executive Orders prescribing environmental action; Title III of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, 7 U.S.C. 7624 note; and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

b Cooperate with the private sector in developing and demonstrating the potential commercial viability of improved technology in production and processing of such materials.

c Encourage Federal agencies, universities, States, private firms, local governments, and others to accelerate essential research and development needed to refine production, processing, and conversion technologies that use agricultural and forestry materials to meet market needs.

d Facilitate the production of renewable materials, both agricultural and forestry, needed for biobased products and bioenergy.

e Encourage public and private use of biobased products and bioenergy.

f Strive to assure that biobased products and bioenergy activities conform to the principles of environmentally preferable products and sustainable development.

g Make every effort, in accordance with Federal procurement laws and regulations, to acquire those products and services that result from USDA research, development, and technology transfer programs.

5 COORDINATION COUNCIL

This regulation hereby establishes a Biobased Products and Bioenergy Coordination Council. The Council will be chaired by the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. The director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses in the Office of the Chief Economist will serve as vice chair. Membership will be comprised of representatives of the Agricultural Research Service; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; Foreign Agricultural Service; Forest Service; Farm Service Agency; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Rural Business and Cooperative Service; Rural Housing Service; Rural Utilities Service; the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; the Office of Budget and Program Analysis; the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses; and other such agencies as may be deemed appropriate by the Council. This Council will:

a Operate as USDA’s working group on biobased products and bioenergy activities under E.O. 13101, E.O. 13134, the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

b Identify activities as needed for the implementation of the policy set forth in this regulation, and recommend additional policies and procedures that may be required to accomplish the objectives of this regulation.

c Facilitate non-USDA members coordination of technical expertise, economic intelligence, and market information necessary to develop biobased products and bioenergy from renewable agricultural and forestry materials consistent with the policies and procedures established herein and others added by the Council.

d Solicit individual input regarding USDA biobased products and bioenergy activities from private-sector individuals and organizations expressing interest in developing biobased products and bioenergy from domestic sources of renewable agricultural and forestry materials.

e Recommend alternative ways for USDA to support and encourage research, development, commercialization, transfer of technology, and marketing for biobased products and bioenergy using renewable agricultural and forestry materials and provide policy advice to the Secretary of Agriculture.