The Biomass Research and Development Board co-chaired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) has released the National Biofuels Action Plan to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry. Their plan identifies key research challenges and defines actions critical to developing the science and technology needed for a cost-effective, sustainable biofuels industry and supply chain. To enhance the impact of federal biofuels investments and enable attainment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the plan outlines interagency actions and accelerated federally supported research efforts in seven areas including:
Sustainability
Feedstock Production
Feedstock Logistics
Conversion Science and Technology
Distribution Infrastructure
Blending
Environment, Health and Safety
Interagency working groups have been tasked with the development of science-based sustainability criteria and indicators, the establishment of 10-year R&D research forecasts for cost-effective methods of producing cellulosic biofuels from non-food based feedstock, the commercialization of next generation biofuels, and recommendations on relevant infrastructure issues. (Source: U.S. DOE, Oct. 7, '08) Contact: Jennifer Scoggins, U.S. DOE, (202) 586-4940, www.energy.gov
