WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama issued a directive on May 5 to establish a Biofuels Interagency Working Group, to be co-chaired by the secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and the Administrator of the Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA).

This group will work with the National Science and Technology Council’s Biomass Research and Development Board.
“President Obama’s announcement today demonstrates his deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“Expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil – one of the great challenges of the 21st century.”

The EPA stated it is soliciting peer reviewed, scientific feedback to ensure the best science available is utilized prior to implementation. The Biofuels Interagency Working Group will develop the nation’s first comprehensive biofuel market development program.

According to the USDA, the increased collaboration between agencies will accelerate the production of and access to sustainable homegrown energy options by coordinating policies that impact the supply, secure transport and distribution of biofuel, as well as identifying new policy options to improve the environmental sustainability of biofuel feedstock production.

The Biofuels Interagency Working Group will also work to develop policies to increase flexible fuel vehicle production and assist in retail marketing efforts, while taking into consideration land use, habitat conservation, crop management practices, water efficiency and quality and lifecycle assessments of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We think this is a great step forward and we commend (Obama’s) commitment” to creating the working group, said Jessica Bennett, director of public policy for the National Corn Growers Assoc. She added the organization will continue to urge the EPA to use the USDA’s expertise in formulating its proposed rulemaking on the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.