Advanced Search
July 22, 2011
A weekly look at sustainable bioenergy, farm, and forest policy issues
This SBFF newsletter will not be published over the next two weeks while Ned Stowe is out on annual leave. Publication will resume the week of August 8.
Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing on Farm Bill Energy Programs
July 20, the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry held a hearing on the farm bill forestry and energy programs. In the ever-tightening budget environment in Washington, D.C. today, many of the energy title programs may be at risk of dramatic cut-backs or elimination in the next farm bill reauthorization round.
Read more
EESI and ELPC Briefing on Rural Energy for America Program
On July 19, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) co-sponsored two briefings on Capitol Hill entitled Farm Bill Energy Title: Rural Energy for America Program. More than 150 people attended including dozens of congressional staff.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Delay New Clean Air Rules for Boilers
July 20, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced legislation to delay the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) implementation of new rules to reduce hazardous air pollutants from boilers fired with coal, petroleum, biomass, and solid waste. The regulations have caused special concern among bioenergy producers who say they are costly, overly burdensome, and are based on unreasonable assumptions that do not reflect the realities of operating biomass boilers today. However, continued delay in the implementation of long overdue air pollution control regulations means that public and environmental health will continue to suffer from hazardous air pollutants.
House Approves More Cuts to DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Investments
July 15, the House concluded lengthy debate on the annual appropriations bill to fund federal energy and water programs (H.R. 2354), with a 219-196 vote in favor of passage. The bill would dramatically reduce investment in the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs, including DOE’s Biomass Program.
25x’25 Alliance Releases “National Wood-To-Energy Roadmap
July 18, the 25x'25 Alliance released a new report, National Wood-To-Energy Roadmap - A Guide for Developing Sustainable Woody Biomass Solutions, the result of a two year effort by a diverse stakeholder working group.
Upcoming Events
July 27: More Fight, Less Fuel: The Defense Department's Deployment of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Writer: Ned Stowe
Top-Rated Climate Nonprofit – 4-Star Charity