Vilsack announces support for producers to grow renewable feedstocks for advanced biofuels

WASHINGTON, DC

Payments for 125 advanced Biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels from a wide variety of sources, including waste products, were announced by Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack.

"Advanced biofuels are a key component of President Obama's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy to reduce the Nation's reliance on foreign oil and take control of America's energy future," said Vilsack. "These payments represent the hard work the private sector is doing to help spur an alternative fuels industry using renewable feedstocks, and help create an economy built to last."

The funding is being provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch.

Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; vegetable oil; and animal fat.

Through this and other programs, USDA is working to support the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a biofuels industry that creates jobs and conserves America's natural resources.

It is important to note that increased biofuel production plays a relatively minor role in retail food price changes. The diversity of feedstock used to produce biodiesel allows for flexibility and helps relieve market pressures.

Biodiesel is made from an increasingly diverse mix of feedstocks, including recycled cooking oil, agricultural oils such as soybean and canola oil, and animal fats, allowing most biodiesel producers to select from a choice of feedstocks if prices rise or supplies are short.

Therefore, the industry's impact in commodity markets is significantly reduced. As the market expands for home-grown renewable energy, farmers and producers will create even more good-paying American jobs that can't be exported.

The biofuels industry in the U.S. currently employs about 400,000 people and is expected to employ around a million people in the U.S. by 2022.

The Obama administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers.

U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers.

To most assist farmers and ranchers impacted by the most wide-spread drought in seven decades, USDA agencies have been working for weeks with state and local officials, as well as individuals, businesses, farmers and ranchers, as they begin the process of helping to get people back on their feet.

USDA offers a variety of resources for states and individuals affected by the recent disasters.

For additional information and updates about USDA's efforts, visit www.usda.gov/drought.

USDA is announcing $19.4 million in payments to 125 local producers and business-owners.

Producers in Wisconsin receiving payments of more than $500 for production of advanced biofuels were as follows:

• Bio Blend Fuels - $958 for biodiesel transesterification;

• Buckeye Ridge Renewable Power, LLC - $3,995 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Green Valley Dairy, LLC - $880 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Grotegut Dairy Farm, Inc. - $6,836 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Holsum Dairies, LLC - $1,913 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Marth Peshtigo Pellet Company, LLC - $786 for pellets;

• Marth Wood Shaving Supply, Inc. - $2,432 for pellets;

• Norswiss Digester, LLC - $3,918 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Quantum Dairy, LLC - $1,045 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Stargest Power, LLC - $3,598 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Statz Brothers, Inc - $2,481 for energy from an anaerobic digester;

• Sun Power Biodiesel, LLC - $8,502 for biodiesel transesterification; and

• Walsh Bio Fuels, LLC: $65,036 for biodiesel transesterification.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $170 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.