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US S2155

US S2155
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote biobased manufacturing.


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include facilities that convert renewable biomass into renewable chemicals in the definitions of "biomass conversion facility" and "biorefinery." Defines "renewable chemical" as a monomer, polymer, plastic, or formulated product produced from renewable biomass. Amends the biobased markets program to: (1) require federal procuring agencies to issue a certain number of biobased-only contracts; and (2) require the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to designate intermediate ingredients or feedstocks and assembled and finished biobased products in the program guidelines; (3) require the Secretary to issue criteria for determining which assembled and finished products may carry the USDA Certified Biobased Product label; (4) require the Secretary to assess the economic impact of the biobased products industry; (5) authorize the Secretary to carry out outreach, education, and promotion activities; and (6) authorize the Secretary to perform audits. Makes renewable chemicals and biobased product manufacturing eligible for grant and loan guarantee assistance. Eliminates feedstocks research, development, and demonstration activities from the Biomass Research and Development Initiative.

AI Summary

This bill aims to boost biobased manufacturing by updating the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It expands the definition of "biomass conversion facility" and "biorefinery" to include operations that transform renewable biomass into "renewable chemicals," which are defined as substances like monomers, polymers, plastics, or formulated products derived from renewable biomass. The bill also strengthens the biobased markets program by requiring federal agencies to purchase a certain number of products made exclusively from biobased materials, and by directing the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish clear guidelines for identifying intermediate ingredients, feedstocks, and finished biobased products, including criteria for the USDA Certified Biobased Product label. Furthermore, the Secretary will assess the economic impact of the biobased products industry, conduct outreach and educational activities to promote these products, and perform audits to ensure program compliance. Importantly, the bill makes manufacturing renewable chemicals and biobased products eligible for grant and loan guarantee assistance, while removing feedstock research and development from a specific research initiative.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (12)

Last Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (on 03/05/2012)

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