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Rural Development administers several programs that support President Bush's and USDA's goal of putting an energy policy into effect that meets America's current -- and future -- energy needs by using agriculture as a part of the energy solution. Rural Development's energy programs support the development of renewable energy systems and expansion of the economic viability of biomass projects.
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Renewable Energy National Conference Highlights
"Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance," a national conference, was hosted by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) on October 10-12, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri. Full event coverage is below.
Press Releases
Photo Gallery
Transcripts of Remarks
USDA Energy Conference Website
October 12, 2006 -- President Bush Discusses Energy at Renewable Energy Conference
October 11, 2006 -- Renewable Energy and Biofuels Discussed on "Ask the White House"
Agriculture Secretary Johanns discussed the promise of ethanol and biobased fuels, and his participation in the conference jointly hosted by USDA and DOE. Secretary Johanns joined "Ask the White House" from the conference in St. Louis.
Chat Transcript
October 12, 2006 -- USDA and DOE announced $4 million for biobased fuels research that will accelerate the development of alternative fuels. The two Departments issued a solicitation for research proposals for new plant feedstock genomics research projects.
Full Story
October 11, 2006 -- USDA officials announced a fourth proposed rule designating 10 more biobased product categories (representing over 480 products) that must receive special purchasing consideration by all Federal agencies. The designations are part of the Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program, which is being renamed "BioPreferred" as part of an effort to educate Federal purchasers.
Full Story
October 10, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced nearly $17.5 million for 17 biomass research, development and demonstration projects, to help break our nation's addiction to oil.
Full Story
September 25, 2006 -- The Departments of Energy and Agriculture announced an updated list of distinguished speakers for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance, a conference jointly hosted by the two agencies.
Full Story
September 8, 2006 -- "The road to energy independence runs through the farm, and USDA Rural Development is playing a key role in encouraging the new agriculture economy represented by the renewable fuels industry."
Editorial by Under Secretary Thomas Dorr.
Read More
August 24, 2006 -- Additional keynote speakers have been confirmed for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance.
Full Story / En Español
August 10, 2006 -- Keynote speakers have been confirmed for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance, a conference hosted by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) that will take place October 10-12, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Full Story
July 25, 2006 -- Registration is now open for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance, a national renewable energy conference that will be hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on October 10-12, 2006, at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Full Story
June 23, 2006 -- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman announced that the two agencies will co-host a national renewable energy conference to help create partnerships and strategies necessary to accelerate commercialization of renewable energy industries and distribution systems, the crux of President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI).
Full Story / USDA/DOE Renewable Energy Audio Webcast
September 13, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the selection of 194 applications from 40 states and two territories to receive $22.6 million in Rural Development grant assistance through the Value-Added Producer Grant and Small Minority Producer Grant programs.
Full Story / Value Added Producer Grant Recipients / Value Added Producer Grant-Funded Energy Projects / Small Minority Producer Grant Recipients (PDF)
August 30, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Amana, Iowa, where he presented Amana Farms with a $1,065,850 guaranteed loan and $500,000 grant for installation of an anaerobic digester. The funds are being provided through Rural Development's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Program
Full Story
Pictured L to R: Amana Farms Manager John McGrath, Mr. Dorr, Rural Development Business Programs Specialist Tom Miller and Rural Development Iowa State Director Mark Reisinger.
August 30, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the award of $17,510,887 in Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program Grants to 375 recipients in 36 states.
Full Story / Recipients List (PDF)
August 15, 2006 -- City of Lindsay, Calif., Police Chief Ramon Figueroa, Sergeant Jerry Martinez, Under Secretary Dorr and State Director Ben Higgins (pictured L to R, click photo to enlarge) in front of a hybrid emergency response vehicle, one of two purchased by the city with Community Facilities grant funds. The vehicles get 30 mpg in the city, double the mileage of the vehicles they replaced.
Full Story
August 10, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr and other USDA officials wrapped up a tour of community, renewable energy and economic investments in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota supported with funding provided by Rural Development and other USDA agencies.
Full Story / Photo Gallery
August 9, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns and Energy Secretary Bodman announced the appointment of twelve members for the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee.
Full Story
August 8, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (click photo to enlarge) answers reporters' questions at Siouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative in Sioux Center, Iowa, which produces 25 million gallons of ethanol a year. Secretary Johanns announced the selection of 12 projects in Iowa, Kansas and Oregon to receive over $9 million to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr and other USDA officials were on a three-state tour of USDA-funded investments in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, and they joined the Secretary in Sioux Center.
Full Story / Secretary Johanns's Remarks / Recipients List (PDF)
August 8, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns released an analysis of the Department's renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Full Story / Executive Summary and Full Analysis / Secretary Johanns's Remarks
June 26, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was recently in Iowa, where he presented Riksch BioFuels, LLC -- a 10 million-gallon-per-year biodiesel facility in southeastern Iowa -- with a $500,000 renewable energy grant. The project's lender, Midwest Bank of Western Illinois, also received a $3.25 million loan guarantee, making this the first biodiesel facility in the country to receive both a Rural Development renewable energy grant and loan.
Full Story
June 19, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo to enlarge) was at a renewable energy conference (see his remarks, PDF file) in Harrisburg, Penn., sponsored by Rural Development, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and the Penn. Department of Agriculture. While there, Mr. Dorr presented $99,300 in Rural Business Enterprise Grant funds to Southern Alleghenies Conservancy, Inc. The company will use the funds for a feasibility study regarding development of a biofuels plant.
Full Story
June 2, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Johanns announced the appointment of Douglas L. Faulkner to serve as Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. Faulkner will work closely with Rural Development Under Secretary Dorr to coordinate the activities of the USDA Energy Council.
Full Story
May 31, 2006 -- June is National Homeownership Month
In support of Homeownership Month, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns (click photo to enlarge) announced special eligibility considerations for low- and moderate-income home loan applicants who are purchasing newer, energy-efficient homes.
Full Story
May 17, 2006 -- Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas Dorr (click photo for full view) recently visited Indiana, where he met with members of the Rahal Letterman Racing Team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rahal Letterman is sponsoring an ethanol-powered car. This year, Indy cars are running on ten-percent ethanol and will shift to one-hundred percent ethanol fuel next season.
Pictured L to R: Driver Jeff Simmons discusses his Indy ride with Under Secretary Dorr and Rahal Letterman Public Relations Director Tom Blattler.
Related item: Learn how Rural Development's Business Programs can support ethanol and other alternative energy projects.
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** Windows Media files require the Windows Media Player.
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