United States Code
USC most recently checked for updates: May 13, 2025
The term “demonstration” means demonstration of technology in a pilot plant or semi-works scale facility, including a plant or facility located on a farm.
The term “Initiative” means the Biomass Research and Development Initiative established under subsection (e).
The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy shall coordinate policies and procedures that promote research and development regarding the production of biofuels and biobased products.
There is established the Biomass Research and Development Board to carry out the duties described in paragraph (3).
Each agency represented on the Board is encouraged to provide funds for any purpose under this section.
The Board shall meet at least quarterly.
There is established the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee to carry out the duties described in paragraph (3).
The members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the points of contact.
To avoid duplication of effort, the Advisory Committee shall coordinate its activities with those of other Federal advisory committees working in related areas.
The Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly.
Members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
Research, development, and demonstration activities regarding feedstocks and feedstock logistics (including the harvest, handling, transport, preprocessing, and storage) relevant to production of raw materials for conversion to biofuels and biobased products.
The development of analysis that provides strategic guidance for the application of renewable biomass technologies to improve sustainability and environmental quality, cost effectiveness, security, and rural economic development.
Development of systematic evaluations of the impact of expanded biofuel production on the environment (including forest land) and on the food supply for humans and animals, including the improvement and development of tools for life cycle analysis of current and potential biofuels.
Assessments of the potential of Federal land resources to increase the production of feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products, consistent with the integrity of soil and water resources and with other environmental considerations.
Except as provided in subclause (II), the non-Federal share of the cost of a research or development project under this section shall be not less than 20 percent.
The Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, may reduce the non-Federal share required under subclause (I) if the appropriate Secretary determines the reduction to be necessary and appropriate.
The non-Federal share of the cost of a demonstration or commercial project under this section shall be not less than 50 percent.
The Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Agriculture may provide such administrative support and funds of the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture to the Board and the Advisory Committee as are necessary to enable the Board and the Advisory Committee to carry out their duties under this section.
The heads of the agencies referred to in subsection (c)(2)(B), and the other members of the Board appointed under subsection (c)(2)(C), are encouraged to provide administrative support and funds of their respective agencies to the Board and the Advisory Committee.
Not more than 4 percent of the amount made available for each fiscal year under subsection (h) may be used to pay the administrative costs of carrying out this section.
In addition to any other funds made available to carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.