White House Forms Interagency Biofuels Group

The White House will form a working group to be chaired by the heads of three government agencies to speed the sustainable development of biofuels.

The action was announced during a press conference this morning with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Energy Secretary Steven Chu, who will head the new Biofuels Interagency Working Group. They pledged to work together to accelerate funding to encourage production of next-generation biofuels from biomass and other non-corn feedstocks.

At the same time, they stressed that corn-based ethanol will continue to play a vital role in the development of renewable fuels for the nation. According to Jackson, 15 billion gallons of ethanol production are “grandfathered in” under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA), most of which is corn ethanol. “Admittedly, corn ethanol is a bridge to next-generation biofuels, but it is an extraordinarily important bridge,” said Jackson.

Vilsack added that one of the feedstocks likely to be used for next generation biofuels is corn stover, “which allows for another source of revenue for producers, but by no means the only source.”

Vilsack called the interagency action an exciting opportunity for rural America. “President Obama’s announcement today demonstrates his deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America,” said Vilsack.