New bucks for biomass materials

High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal

A new USDA program might not provide as many dollars as the widely popular "cash for clunkers" program, but it's still a huge new potential revenue stream for thousands of biomass producers. Many industry sources see this program as another important incentive to develop more homegrown renewable energy across the U.S.

The USDA Farm Service Agency is now offering payments through the new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), matching payments made by biorefineries. The Show Me Energy Cooperative in Centerview, Mo., was the first biomass conversion facility in the U.S. to become qualified and is paying about $40 to $50 per ton, depending on the net energy value of the biomass. Now, several more facilities, from California to New York, have signed on. FSA officials expect more entities to quickly join the program, encouraging producers of everything from woody biomass to switchgrass to enroll at county offices for the matching payments.

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