Senator Tom Harkin Applauds USDA Announcement Of Funding For Critical Energy Programs

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June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, applauded an announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that action has been taken – under the directive of President Obama – to expedite the release of new money to promote the production and use of biofuels. These funds were mandated in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, the farm bill, under Harkin’s leadership.

The funds will support and grow several USDA energy initiatives including providing loan guarantees for advanced biorefineries; repowering projects for replacing fossil fuels in existing biorefineries; funds to support production of advanced biofuels; energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses; and funding for the collection, harvest, storage and transport of biomass feedstocks to biomass user facilities.

“I applaud Secretary Vilsack and the Administration on today’s announcement. These programs are an important component of our nation’s clean energy strategy and will spur the production of more energy from biomass through grants and loans,” said Harkin. “These funds will support our farmers, rural communities and businesses as they strive to provide clean, safe sources of energy both for Iowans and for the nation. I commend Secretary Vilsack and the Obama Administration for expediting the release of this money and for implementing these important farm bill programs.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin