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2002 Farm Bill Energy Title (H.R. 2646)

Federal Procurement of Biobased Products (Sec. 9002)
Requires Federal agencies to purchase biobased products. Funding will be used for testing and certifying biobased products.
$6 million
($1 mil/yr FY02-07)

Biodiesel Fuel Education Program (Sec. 9004)
New grant program to educate the public and private fleet managers about the benefits of biodiesel
$5 million
($1 mil/yr FY03-07)

Renewable Energy System & Energy Efficiency Improvements (Sec. 9006)
Establishes a grant and loan program to assist farmers in purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements $115 million
($23 mil/yr FY03-07)

Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (Sec. 9008)
Reauthorizes and funds the Biomass Research and Development Act through 2007 (+ an additional $49 million/yr. authorized for FY02 – 07) $75 million
($5 mil FY02, $14 mil/yr FY03-07)

Commodity Credit Corporation Bioenergy Program (Sec. 9010)
Continues program to reimburse ethanol and biodiesel producers for the purchase of commodities to expand existing production
$204 million
Total = $405 million
(Over the life of the bill)

Authorized Programs Subject to Appropriations:

Biorefinery Development Grants (Sec. 9003) Creates a grant program to help establish facilities for the conversion of biomass into electricity, fuels, chemicals, and other marketable products.

Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Program (Sec. 9005)
Establishes a cost-share grant program to help farmers identify and assess their renewable energy resources, and energy efficiency improvement potential.

Carbon Sequestration Research (Sec. 9009)
Funds research into the potential for storing atmospheric carbon in soils and plants.

Other Energy Provisions in the Farm Bill:

Rural Development Title
Value-added Grant Program – An existing program amended to allow renewable energy systems to qualify for grants.

Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act – Amended to allow loans and loan guarantees for wind systems and methane digesters.

Conservation Title

Conservation Reserve Program – Amended to allow wind turbines and biomass harvesting on CRP lands where consistent with soil, water, and wildlife habitat goals of the CRP program.

*The text of the legislation along with the statement of the managers can be found online at: http://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill.htm