Biofuels Epicenter & REAP

Could the Pacific Northwest be an epicenter for aviation biofuels? When you combine Washington state’s forests and farms, which offer abundant sources of woody material, crops, and algae that could be converted to fuel, with the major presence of Boeing and some of the best research labs in the nation the answer would be a resounding, “yes”. However, government subsidies and regulatory support would most certainly be necessary to make the fuels viable. On Thursday Governor Gregoire signed a bill that would let private aviation biofuel plants in the state draw financing through lower interest revenue bonds.

USDA's Rural Energy for America Program has helped farmers and rural small businesses become more energy efficient. Ag Secretary Vilsack expounds.

VILSACK: 477 solar units have been installed, 318 wind facilities have been created on farms and ranches, 52 anaerobic digesters have been assisted in financing, 24 biofuel and biodiesel production operations, and 146 geothermal operations on farms and ranches and in small businesses across the United States under this program.

REAP also includes increasing domestic oil and gas production, developing new alternative energy sources, and reducing our reliance on oil through energy efficiencies. While applications for REAP guaranteed loans for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements are being accepted through June 29, applications for REAP grants and loan/grant combinations must be submitted no later than March 30th.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.