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 |
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Research, Education and Economics |
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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.
f Coordinate and cooperate
with other Federal agencies to promote the development and use of biobased and
bioenergy products.
6 RESOURCES
The member agencies of the
Council are to contribute human and administrative resources as needed,
consistent with their delegated authorities and appropriations, to carry out
these duties.
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