U.S. rolls out national plan for increased biofuels production

U.S. rolls out national plan for increased biofuels production The U.S. Agricultural and Energy departments on Oct. 7 launched the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP), an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts by federal agencies to accelerate the development of the U.S. biofuels industry.
   The NBAP was developed in response to President Bush’s so-called “20 in 10” goal to challenge the way the country fuels its transportation system and to meet the renewable fuel standard (RFS) targets in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.
   The NBAP will be implemented by the Biomass Research and Development Board, which is co-chaired by the USDA and Energy Department, and includes senior officials from 10 federal agencies and the White House. The board plans to accelerate biofuels research efforts in seven areas:
   ' Sustainability.
   ' Feedstock production.
   ' Feedstock logistics.
   ' Conversion science and technology.
   ' Distribution infrastructure.
   ' Blending.
   ' Environment, health and safety.
   The Energy Department has dedicated more than $1 billion to research, develop and demonstrate cellulosic biofuels technology through 2009. Since 2006, the USDA has invested nearly $600 million for the research development and demonstration of new biofuels technology.