Columns
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
buying "bio" - good for iowa and america
Today, everyone knows that the sooner we reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the better. Many folks are aware that they can reduce the amount of foreign oil they consume by driving cars that run on E85 or biodiesel. A lesser known but equally exciting fact is that Iowa is leading the way in producing a host of new bio-based products – including everything from clothing to plastics to building materials — that can replace petroleum-based products. These new bio-based products will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our rural economy.
To give a boost to the emerging bio-economy, I asked the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to hold an exhibition showcasing bio-based products that can be purchased and used by government agencies. The event, held at the Pentagon early this September, was titled “Bio-based Products - Enhancing DOD’s Mission; Protecting the Environment.”
The showcase was a huge success. Dozens of companies from around the country – including seven from Iowa – came to display their products and make their pitch to government officials. The Iowa-based companies who came manufacture products such as office work station panels, hand sanitizers and soaps, industrial cleaners, lubricants and greases. One company is even making socks from corn!
Bear in mind that the DOD is the federal government’s largest consumer of goods and services. And the federal government is the nation’s largest consumer overall, purchasing approximately $300 billion each year. It is not just wishful thinking to believe the DOD will buy more and more bio-based products in the future. It is the law.
In 2002, when I authored the farm bill’s first ever energy section, I included a section establishing a bio-based products purchasing preference. This provision requires federal agencies - including the DOD, Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Energy and Interior, etc. – to purchase bio-based products listed by USDA as long as they are reasonable in price, performance and availability.
To date, hundreds of bio-based products have been identified by USDA for purchase by federal agencies. Soon the number of these products will swell into the thousands. In addition, USDA is developing a special bio-based label to help identify and promote these products. This will give the bio-based industry a shot in the arm by differentiating these products from their petroleum counterparts and allowing consumers to make informed choices.
By increasing our reliance on the corn and soybean fields of the Midwest, and decreasing our dependence on the oil fields of the Middle East, we will do four things: We will improve America’s energy security. We will boost our rural economy. We will create a cleaner environment. And we will put downward pressure on gasoline and diesel prices at the pump. From what I saw at the Pentagon this September, America’s bio-based economy is well on its way to helping us accomplish these goals.
