USDA funds biomass program
The USDA announced June 15 that it is allocating $14.6 million to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program with MFA Oil for three project areas in Missouri and Arkansas. The program will create up to 980 jobs in the Columbia area.
In March, the Columbia Business Times reported MFA’s proposed project to plant miscanthus crops in marginal land as a dedicated energy crop. This crop has the ability to restore and stabilize the soil in these areas, supply fuel for power plants and liquid biofuels.
“Renewable, home-grown, clean energy from American producers is vital to our country’s energy future because it reduces our reliance on foreign oil and creates good-paying production jobs that cannot be exported,” said Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary.
Each of the three project areas is estimated to earn about $50 million a year.
The USDA provides reimbursements of up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing the miscanthus crop to those selected as a BCAP area. The funding was dependent on Congress continuing to keep the program in the budget this year.
Farmers also benefit from the program. The BCAP issues annual stipends to landowners for up to five years.
In March, the Columbia Business Times reported MFA’s proposed project to plant miscanthus crops in marginal land as a dedicated energy crop. This crop has the ability to restore and stabilize the soil in these areas, supply fuel for power plants and liquid biofuels.
“Renewable, home-grown, clean energy from American producers is vital to our country’s energy future because it reduces our reliance on foreign oil and creates good-paying production jobs that cannot be exported,” said Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary.
Each of the three project areas is estimated to earn about $50 million a year.
The USDA provides reimbursements of up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing the miscanthus crop to those selected as a BCAP area. The funding was dependent on Congress continuing to keep the program in the budget this year.
Farmers also benefit from the program. The BCAP issues annual stipends to landowners for up to five years.