By Agri-Pulse Staff
© Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
Washington, Dec. 15 – The omnibus appropriations bill introduced to the Senate late on December 14 would cut Farm Bill clean energy programs by well over $200 million and would effectively eliminate the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. The bill includes these cuts:
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Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Section 9007. Cut from total $99.34 million in 2010 to $70 million in 2011.
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Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), Section 9011, is administratively frozen.
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Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels (BPAB), Section 9005 is reduced by $28,042,000.
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Biorefinery Assistance Program (BAP) Section 9003 is reduced by $56,084,000.
A plea from the Environmental Law & Policy center which seeks support for preventing these cuts states that “REAP has already helped 6,000 American farmers and ranchers save or earn money with energy efficiency and renewable energy. Several grants for cellulosic ethanol plants are ready to go under Biorefinery Assistance. And BCAP has been overhauled and is ready to roll. Please Contact Your Senators Today!”
For more information on REAP and other
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