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ing to biofuels and biobased products that are
carried out by their respective departments—
‘‘(i) the Secretary of Agriculture shall
designate, as the point of contact for the De-
partment of Agriculture, an officer of the
Department of Agriculture appointed by the
President to a position in the Department
before the date of the designation, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate;
and
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of Energy shall des-
ignate, as the point of contact for the De-
partment of Energy, an officer of the De-
partment of Energy appointed by the Presi-
dent to a position in the Department before
the date of the designation, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate.
‘‘(B) DUTIES.—The points of contact shall
jointly—
‘‘(i) assist in arranging interlabora-
tory and site-specific supplemental agree-
ments for research and development projects
relating to biofuels and biobased products;
‘‘(ii) serve as cochairpersons of the
Board;
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‘‘(iii) administer the Initiative; and
‘‘(iv) respond in writing to each rec-
ommendation of the Advisory Committee
made under subsection (d).
‘‘(c) 
BIOMASS
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
BOARD.—
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the
Biomass Research and Development Board, which
shall supersede the Interagency Council on Biobased
Products and Bioenergy established by Executive
Order No. 13134 (7 U.S.C. 8101 note), to coordinate
programs within and among departments and agen-
cies of the Federal Government for the purpose of pro-
moting the use of biofuels and biobased products by—
‘‘(A) maximizing the benefits deriving from
Federal grants and assistance; and
‘‘(B) bringing coherence to Federal strategic
planning.
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board shall consist
of—
‘‘(A) the point of contact of the Department
of 
Energy 
designated 
under 
subsection
(b)(2)(A)(ii), who shall serve as cochairperson of
the Board;
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HR 2419 EAS
‘‘(B) the point of contact of the Department
of 
Agriculture 
designated 
under 
subsection
(b)(2)(A)(i), who shall serve as cochairperson of
the Board;
‘‘(C) a senior officer of each of the Depart-
ment of the Interior, the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, the National Science Foundation,
and the Office of Science and Technology Policy,
each of whom shall—
‘‘(i) be appointed by the head of the re-
spective agency; and
‘‘(ii) have a rank that is equivalent to
the rank of the points of contact; and
‘‘(D) at the option of the Secretary of Agri-
culture and the Secretary of Energy, other mem-
bers appointed by the Secretaries (after consulta-
tion with the members described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (C)).
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—The Board shall—
‘‘(A) coordinate research and development
activities relating to biofuels and biobased
products—
‘‘(i) between the Department of Agri-
culture and the Department of Energy; and
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‘‘(ii) with other departments and agen-
cies of the Federal Government;
‘‘(B) provide recommendations to the points
of contact concerning administration of this title;
‘‘(C) ensure that—
‘‘(i) solicitations are open and com-
petitive with awards made annually; and
‘‘(ii) objectives and evaluation criteria
of the solicitations are clearly stated and
minimally prescriptive, with no areas of
special interest; and
‘‘(D) ensure that the panel of scientific and
technical peers assembled under subsection (e) to
review proposals is composed predominantly of
independent experts selected from outside the De-
partments of Agriculture and Energy.
‘‘(4) FUNDING.—Each agency represented on the
Board is encouraged to provide funds for any purpose
under this section.
‘‘(5) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at least
quarterly to enable the Board to carry out the duties
of the Board under paragraph (3).
‘‘(d) BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TECH-
NICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—
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‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the
Biomass Research and Development Technical Advi-
sory Committee, which shall supersede the Advisory
Committee on Biobased Products and Bioenergy es-
tablished by Executive Order No. 13134 (7 U.S.C.
8101 note)—
‘‘(A) to advise the Secretary of Energy, the
Secretary of Agriculture, and the points of con-
tact concerning—
‘‘(i) the distribution of funding;
‘‘(ii) the technical focus and direction
of requests for proposals issued under the
Initiative; and
‘‘(iii) procedures for reviewing and
evaluating the proposals;
‘‘(B) to facilitate consultations and partner-
ships among Federal and State agencies, agricul-
tural producers, industry, consumers, the re-
search community, and other interested groups
to carry out program activities relating to the
Initiative; and
‘‘(C) to evaluate and perform strategic
planning on program activities relating to the
Initiative.
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall consist of—
‘‘(i) an individual affiliated with the
biofuels industry;
‘‘(ii) an individual affiliated with the
biobased industrial and commercial prod-
ucts industry;
‘‘(iii) an individual affiliated with an
institution of higher education who has ex-
pertise in biofuels and biobased products;
‘‘(iv) 2 prominent engineers or sci-
entists from government or academia who
have expertise in biofuels and biobased
products;
‘‘(v) an individual affiliated with a
commodity trade association;
‘‘(vi) 2 individuals affiliated with an
environmental or conservation organization;
‘‘(vii) an individual associated with
State government who has expertise in
biofuels and biobased products;
‘‘(viii) an individual with expertise in
energy and environmental analysis;
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‘‘(ix) an individual with expertise in
the economics of biofuels and biobased prod-
ucts;
‘‘(x) an individual with expertise in
agricultural economics;
‘‘(xi) an individual with expertise in
plant biology and biomass feedstock develop-
ment;
‘‘(xii) an individual with expertise in
agronomy, crop science, or soil science; and
‘‘(xiii) at the option of the points of
contact, other members.
‘‘(B) APPOINTMENT.—The members of the
Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the
points of contact.
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—The Advisory Committee shall—
‘‘(A) advise the points of contact with re-
spect to the Initiative; and
‘‘(B) evaluate whether, and make rec-
ommendations in writing to the Board to ensure
that—
‘‘(i) funds authorized for the Initiative
are distributed and used in a manner that
is consistent with the objectives, purposes,
and considerations of the Initiative;
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‘‘(ii) solicitations are open and com-
petitive with awards made annually and
that objectives and evaluation criteria of the
solicitations are clearly stated and mini-
mally prescriptive, with no areas of special
interest;
‘‘(iii) the points of contact are funding
proposals under this title that are selected
on the basis of merit, as determined by an
independent panel of scientific and tech-
nical peers predominantly from outside the
Departments of Agriculture and Energy;
and
‘‘(iv) activities under this section are
carried out in accordance with this section.
‘‘(4) COORDINATION.—To avoid duplication of
effort, the Advisory Committee shall coordinate the ac-
tivities of the Advisory Committee with activities of
other Federal advisory committees working in related
areas.
‘‘(5) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee shall
meet at least quarterly to enable the Advisory Com-
mittee to carry out the duties of the Advisory Com-
mittee.
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‘‘(6) TERMS.—Members of the Advisory Com-
mittee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
‘‘(e) BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIA-
TIVE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture
and the Secretary of Energy, acting through their re-
spective points of contact and in consultation with
the Board, shall establish and carry out a Biomass
Research and Development Initiative under which
competitively awarded grants, contracts, and finan-
cial assistance are provided to, or entered into with,
eligible entities to carry out research on, and develop-
ment and demonstration of, biofuels and biobased
products, and the methods, practices, and tech-
nologies, for the production of the fuels and product.
‘‘(2) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the Initia-
tive are to develop—
‘‘(A) technologies and processes necessary
for abundant commercial production of biofuels
at prices competitive with fossil fuels;
‘‘(B) high-value biobased products—
‘‘(i) to enhance the economic viability
of biofuels and bioenergy;
‘‘(ii) as substitutes for petroleum-based
feedstocks and products; and
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‘‘(iii) to enhance the value of coprod-
ucts produced using the technologies and
processes; and
‘‘(C) a diversity of sustainable domestic
sources of renewable biomass for conversion to
biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products.
‘‘(3) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Initiative
are—
‘‘(A) to increase the energy security of the
United States;
‘‘(B) to create jobs and enhance the eco-
nomic development of the rural economy;
‘‘(C) to enhance the environment and public
health; and
‘‘(D) to diversify markets for raw agricul-
tural and forestry products.
‘‘(4) TECHNICAL AREAS.—To advance the objec-
tives and purposes of the Initiative, the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy, in consulta-
tion with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency and heads of other appropriate de-
partments and agencies (referred to in this subsection
as the ‘Secretaries’), shall direct research, develop-
ment, and demonstration toward—
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‘‘(A) feedstocks and feedstock systems rel-
evant to production of raw materials for conver-
sion 
to 
biofuels 
and 
biobased 
products,
including—
‘‘(i) development of advanced and dedi-
cated crops with desired features, including
enhanced productivity, broader site range,
low requirements for chemical inputs, and
enhanced processing;
‘‘(ii) advanced crop production meth-
ods to achieve the features described in
clause (i) and suitable assay techniques for
those features;
‘‘(iii) 
feedstock 
harvest, 
handling,
transport, and storage;
‘‘(iv) strategies for integrating feed-
stock production into existing managed
land; and
‘‘(v) improving the value and quality
of coproducts, including material used for
animal feeding;
‘‘(B) development of cost-effective tech-
nologies for the use of cellulosic biomass in the
production of biofuels and biobased products,
including—
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‘‘(i) pretreatment in combination with
enzymatic or microbial hydrolysis;
‘‘(ii) thermochemical approaches, in-
cluding gasification and pyrolysis; and
‘‘(iii) self-processing crops that express
enzymes capable of degrading cellulosic bio-
mass;
‘‘(C) product diversification through tech-
nologies relevant to production of a range of
biobased products (including chemicals, animal
feeds, and cogenerated power) that eventually
can increase the feasibility of fuel production in
a biorefinery, including—
‘‘(i) catalytic processing, including
thermochemical fuel production;
‘‘(ii) metabolic engineering, enzyme en-
gineering, and fermentation systems for bio-
logical production of desired products, co-
products, or cogeneration of power;
‘‘(iii) product recovery;
‘‘(iv) power production technologies,
including distributed generation;
‘‘(v) integration into existing renew-
able biomass processing facilities, including
starch ethanol plants, sugar processing or
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refining plants, paper mills, and power
plants;
‘‘(vi) enhancement of products and co-
products, including dried distillers grains;
and
‘‘(vii) technologies that allow for cost-
effective harvest, handling, transport, and
storage; and
‘‘(D) analysis that provides strategic guid-
ance for the application of renewable biomass
technologies in accordance with realization of
improved 
sustainability 
and 
environmental
quality, cost effectiveness, security, and rural
economic development, usually featuring system-
wide approaches, including the harvest, han-
dling, transport, and storage of renewable bio-
mass.
‘‘(5) ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.—Within the
technical areas described in paragraph (4), and in
addition to advancing the purposes described in para-
graph (3) and the objectives described in paragraph
(2), the Secretaries shall support research and
development—
‘‘(A) to create continuously expanding op-
portunities for participants in existing biofuels
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HR 2419 EAS
production by seeking synergies and continuity
with current technologies and practices, such as
improvements in dried distillers grains and
other biofuel production coproducts for use as
bridge feedstocks;
‘‘(B) to maximize the environmental, eco-
nomic, and social benefits of production of
biofuels and biobased products on a large scale
through life-cycle economic and environmental
analysis and other means; and
‘‘(C) to assess the potential of Federal land
and land management programs as feedstock re-
sources for biofuels and biobased products, con-
sistent with the integrity of soil and water re-
sources and with other environmental consider-
ations.
‘‘(6) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible for a
grant, contract, or assistance under this subsection,
an applicant shall be—
‘‘(A) an institution of higher education;
‘‘(B) a National Laboratory;
‘‘(C) a Federal research agency;
‘‘(D) a State research agency;
‘‘(E) a private sector entity;
‘‘(F) a nonprofit organization; or
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‘‘(G) a consortium of 2 or more entities de-
scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
‘‘(7) ADMINISTRATION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—After consultation with
the Board, the points of contact shall—
‘‘(i) publish annually 1 or more joint
requests for proposals for grants, contracts,
and assistance under this subsection;
‘‘(ii) require that grants, contracts,
and assistance under this section be award-
ed competitively, on the basis of merit, after
the establishment of procedures that provide
for scientific peer review by an independent
panel of scientific and technical peers;
‘‘(iii) give partial preference to appli-
cations that—
‘‘(I) involve a consortia of experts
from multiple institutions;
‘‘(II) encourage the integration of
disciplines and application of the best
technical resources; and
‘‘(III) increase the geographic di-
versity of demonstration projects; and
‘‘(iv) require that not less than 15 per-
cent of funds made available to carry out
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this section is used for research and develop-
ment relating to each of the technical areas
described in paragraph (4).
‘‘(B) MATCHING FUNDS.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The non-Federal
share of the cost of a demonstration project
under this section shall be not less than 20
percent.
‘‘(ii) COMMERCIAL
APPLICATIONS.—
The non-Federal share of the cost of a com-
mercial application project under this sec-
tion shall be not less than 50 percent.
‘‘(C) 
TECHNOLOGY
AND
INFORMATION
TRANSFER TO AGRICULTURAL USERS.—The Ad-
ministrator of the National Institute of Food
and Agriculture and the Chief of the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Service shall ensure that
applicable research results and technologies from
the Initiative are—
‘‘(i) adapted, made available, and dis-
seminated through those services, as appro-
priate; and
‘‘(ii) included in the best practices
database established under section 220 of
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the Department of Agriculture Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6920).
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent administrative
support and funds are not provided by other agencies
under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Energy and the
Secretary of Agriculture may provide such adminis-
trative support and funds of the Department of En-
ergy and the Department of Agriculture to the Board
and the Advisory Committee as are necessary to en-
able the Board and the Advisory Committee to carry
out their duties under this section.
‘‘(2) OTHER AGENCIES.—The heads of the agen-
cies referred to in subsection (c)(2)(C), and the other
members of the Board appointed under subsection
(c)(2)(D), may, and are encouraged to, provide ad-
ministrative support and funds of their respective
agencies to the Board and the Advisory Committee.
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—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.
‘‘(g) REPORTS.—
‘‘(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—For each fiscal year for
which funds are made available to carry out this sec-
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tion, the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of
Agriculture shall jointly submit to Congress a detailed
report on—
‘‘(A) the status and progress of the Initia-
tive, including a report from the Advisory Com-
mittee on whether funds appropriated for the
Initiative have been distributed and used in a
manner that—
‘‘(i) is consistent with the objectives,
purposes, and additional considerations de-
scribed in paragraphs (2) through (5) of
subsection (e);
‘‘(ii) uses the set of criteria established
in the initial report submitted under title
III of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7624 note; Public Law
106–224) (as in effect on the date before the
date of enactment of the Food and Energy
Security Act of 2007); and
‘‘(iii) takes into account any rec-
ommendations that have been made by the
Advisory Committee;
‘‘(B) the general status of cooperation and
research and development efforts carried out at
each agency with respect to biofuels and biobased
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products, including a report from the Advisory
Committee on whether the points of contact are
funding proposals that are selected under sub-
section (d)(3)(B)(iii); and
‘‘(C) the plans of the Secretary of Energy
and the Secretary of Agriculture for addressing
concerns raised in the report, including concerns
raised by the Advisory Committee.
‘‘(2) UPDATES.—The Secretary of Agriculture
and the Secretary of Energy shall update the Vision
and Roadmap documents prepared for Federal bio-
mass research and development activities.
‘‘(h) FUNDING.—
‘‘(1) 
COMMODITY
CREDIT
CORPORATION
FUNDS.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration, the Secretary of Agriculture, to the max-
imum extent practicable, shall use to carry out this
section, to remain available until expended—
‘‘(A) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
‘‘(B) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
‘‘(C) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
FUNDING.—In addition to
amounts described in paragraph (1), there is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section
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$85,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.
‘‘SEC. 9009. SUN GRANT PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the programs estab-
lished under this section are—
‘‘(1) to enhance national energy security through
the development, distribution, and implementation of
biobased energy technologies;
‘‘(2) to promote diversification in, and the envi-
ronmental sustainability of, agricultural production
in the United States through biobased energy and
product technologies;
‘‘(3) to promote economic diversification in rural
areas of the United States through biobased energy
and product technologies; and
‘‘(4) to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and
biomass research and development programs through
improved coordination and collaboration between the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of En-
ergy, and the land-grant colleges and universities.
‘‘(b) DEFINITION
OF LAND-GRANT COLLEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.—The term ‘land-grant colleges and univer-
sities’ means—
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‘‘(1) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));
‘‘(2) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of
that Act) and West Virginia State College; and
‘‘(3) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of
that Act).
‘‘(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—To carry out the purposes de-
scribed in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide grants
to sun grant centers specified in subsection (d).
‘‘(d) GRANTS TO CENTERS.—The Secretary shall use
amounts made available for a fiscal year under subsection
(j) to provide a grants in equal amounts to each of the fol-
lowing sun grant centers:
‘‘(1) NORTH-CENTRAL CENTER.—A north-central
sun grant center at South Dakota State University
for the region composed of the States of Illinois, Indi-
ana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Da-
kota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
‘‘(2) SOUTHEASTERN
CENTER.—A southeastern
sun grant center at the University of Tennessee at
Knoxville for the region composed of—
‘‘(A) the States of Alabama, Florida, Geor-
gia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia;
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‘‘(B) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
and
‘‘(C) the United States Virgin Islands.
‘‘(3) SOUTH-CENTRAL CENTER.—A south-central
sun grant center at Oklahoma State University for
the region composed of the States of Arkansas, Colo-
rado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas.
‘‘(4) WESTERN CENTER.—A western sun grant
center at Oregon State University for the region com-
posed of—
‘‘(A) the States of Alaska, Arizona, Cali-
fornia, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington; and
‘‘(B) territories and possessions of the
United States (other than the territories referred
to in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph
(2)).
‘‘(5) NORTHEASTERN CENTER.—A northeastern
sun grant center at Cornell University for the region
composed of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Mas-
sachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hamp-
shire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
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‘‘(6) WESTERN INSULAR PACIFIC SUBCENTER.—
A western insular Pacific subcenter at the University
of Hawaii for the region composed of the State of
Alaska, the State of Hawaii, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of
Palau.
‘‘(e) USE OF FUNDS.—
‘‘(1) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.—Of the amount
of funds that are made available for a fiscal year to
a sun grant center under subsection (d), the center
shall use not more than 25 percent of the amount to
support excellence in science, engineering, and eco-
nomics at the center to promote the purposes described
in subsection (a) through the State agricultural exper-
iment station, cooperative extension services, and rel-
evant educational programs of the university.
‘‘(2) GRANTS
TO
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The sun grant center
established for a region shall use the funds that
remain available for a fiscal year after expendi-
tures made under paragraph (1) to provide com-
petitive grants to land-grant colleges and univer-
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sities in the region of the sun grant center to
conduct, consistent with the purposes described
in 
subsection 
(a), 
multi-institutional 
and
multistate—
‘‘(i) research, extension, and edu-
cational programs on technology develop-
ment; and
‘‘(ii) integrated research, extension,
and educational programs on technology
implementation.
‘‘(B) PROGRAMS.—Of the amount of funds
that are used to provide grants for a fiscal year
under subparagraph (A), the center shall use—
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent of the
funds to carry out programs described in
subparagraph (A)(i); and
‘‘(ii) not less than 30 percent of the
funds to carry out programs described in
subparagraph (A)(ii).
‘‘(3) INDIRECT COSTS.—A sun grant center may
not recover the indirect costs of making grants under
paragraph (2) to other land-grant colleges and uni-
versities.
‘‘(f) PLAN.—
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of
funds under subsection (j), in cooperation with other
land-grant colleges and universities and private in-
dustry in accordance with paragraph (2), the sun
grant centers shall jointly develop and submit to the
Secretary, for approval, a plan for addressing at the
State and regional levels the bioenergy, biomass, and
gasification research priorities of the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Energy for the
making of grants under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (e).
‘‘(2) GASIFICATION COORDINATION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In developing the plan
under paragraph (1) with respect to gasification
research, the sun grant centers identified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) shall
coordinate with land grant colleges and univer-
sities in their respective regions that have ongo-
ing research activities with respect to the re-
search.
‘‘(B) FUNDING.—Funds made available
under subsection (d) to the sun grant center
identified in subsection (e)(2) shall be available
to carry out planning coordination under para-
graph (1) of this subsection.
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‘‘(g) GRANTS TO OTHER LAND-GRANT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.—
‘‘(1) PRIORITY FOR GRANTS.—In making grants
under subsection (e)(2), a sun grant center shall give
a higher priority to programs that are consistent with
the plan approved by the Secretary under subsection
(f).
‘‘(2) TERM OF GRANTS.—The term of a grant
provided by a sun grant center under subsection
(e)(2) shall not exceed 5 years.
‘‘(h) GRANT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER.—The
sun grant centers shall maintain a Sun Grant Information
Analysis Center at the sun grant center specified in sub-
section (d)(1) to provide sun grant centers analysis and
data management support.
‘‘(i) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days after
the end of a year for which a sun grant center receives a
grant under subsection (d), the sun grant center shall sub-
mit to the Secretary a report that describes the policies, pri-
orities, and operations of the program carried out by the
center during the year, including a description of progress
made in facilitating the priorities described in subsection
(f).
‘‘(j) FUNDING.—
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‘‘(1) COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.—Of the
funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Sec-
retary shall use to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended—
‘‘(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
‘‘(B) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
‘‘(C) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In addition to any
other funds made available to carry out this sec-
tion, there is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section $70,000,000 for each of fis-
cal years 2008 through 2012.
‘‘(B) GRANT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CEN-
TER.—Of amounts made available under sub-
paragraph (A), not more than $4,000,000 for
each fiscal year shall be made available to carry
out subsection (h).
‘‘SEC. 9010. REGIONAL BIOMASS CROP EXPERIMENTS.
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to ini-
tiate multi-region side-by-side crop experiments to provide
a sound knowledge base on all aspects of the production of
biomass energy crops, including crop species, nutrient re-
quirements, management practices, environmental impacts,
greenhouse gas implications, and economics.
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‘‘(b) CROP EXPERIMENTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Board, based on the recommendations of
the Advisory Committee, shall award 10 competitive
grants to land-grant colleges and universities (as de-
fined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977
(7 U.S.C. 3103)) to establish regional biomass crop
research experiments (including experiments involv-
ing annuals, perennials, and woody biomass species).
‘‘(2) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.—Grant
recipients shall be selected on the basis of applications
submitted in accordance with guidelines issued by the
Secretary.
‘‘(3) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting grant
recipients, the Secretary shall consider—
‘‘(A) the capabilities and experience of the
applicant, including—
‘‘(i) in conducting side-by-side crop ex-
periments;
‘‘(ii) engineering and research knowl-
edge and experience relating to biofuels or
the production of inputs for biofuel produc-
tion; and
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‘‘(iii) demonstrated willingness to con-
tribute significant in-kind resources;
‘‘(B) the range of species types and crop-
ping practices proposed for study;
‘‘(C) the quality of the proposed crop experi-
ment plan;
‘‘(D) the commitment of the applicant of
adequate acreage and necessary resources for,
and continued participation in, the crop experi-
ments;
‘‘(E) the need for regional diversity among
the 10 institutions selected; and
‘‘(F) such other factors as the Secretary
may determine.
‘‘(c) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make a grant to
each land-grant college or university selected under sub-
section (b) in the amount of—
‘‘(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
‘‘(2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
‘‘(3) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
‘‘(d) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate
with participants under this section—
‘‘(1) to provide coordination regarding biomass
crop research approaches; and
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‘‘(2) to ensure coordination between biomass crop
research activities carried out by land-grant colleges
and universities under this section and by sun grant
centers under section 9009.
‘‘(e) FUNDING.—
‘‘(1) COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.—Of the
funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Sec-
retary shall use to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended—
‘‘(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
‘‘(C) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In
addition to any other funds made available to carry
out this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated such sums are necessary to carry out this sec-
tion for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
‘‘SEC. 9011. NEW CENTURY FARM PROJECT.
‘‘There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to support the development and operation of an inte-
grated and sustainable biomass, feedstock, and biofuels pro-
duction system to serve as a model for a new century farm
$15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through
2012, to remain available until expended.
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‘‘SEC. 9012. BIOCHAR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEM-
ONSTRATION.
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to sup-
port research, development, and demonstration of biochar
as a coproduct of bioenergy production, as a soil enhance-
ment practice, and as a carbon management strategy.
‘‘(b) DEFINITION OF BIOCHAR.—In this section, the
term ‘biochar’ means charcoal or biomass-derived black car-
bon that is added to soil to improve soil fertility, nutrient
retention, and carbon content.
‘‘(c) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award competitive
grants to eligible entities to support biochar research, devel-
opment, and demonstration projects on multiple scales, in-
cluding laboratory biochar research and field trials, and
biochar systems on a single farm scale, local community
scale, and agricultural cooperative scale.
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive a
grant under this section, an entity shall be an eligible entity
described in section 9005(d).
‘‘(e) AREAS OF BIOCHAR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT,
AND DEMONSTRATION.—In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall solicit proposals for activities that
include—
‘‘(1) the installation and use of biochar produc-
tion 
systems, 
including 
pyrolysis 
and
thermocombustion systems, and the integration of
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biochar production with bioenergy and bioproducts
production;
‘‘(2) the study of agronomic effects of biochar
usage in soils, including plant growth and yield ef-
fects for different application rates and soil types,
and implications for water and fertilizer needs;
‘‘(3) biochar characterization, including analysis
of physical properties, chemical structure, product
consistency and quality, and the impacts of those
properties on the soil-conditioning effects of biochar
in different soil types;
‘‘(4) the study of effects of the use of biochar on
the carbon content of soils, with an emphasis on the
potential for biochar applications to sequester carbon;
‘‘(5) the study of effects of biochar on greenhouse
gas emissions relating to crop production, including
nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from
cropland;
‘‘(6) the study of the integration of renewable en-
ergy and bioenergy production with biochar produc-
tion;
‘‘(7) the study of the economics of biochar pro-
duction and use, including considerations of feedstock
competition, synergies of coproduction with bioenergy,
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the value of soil enhancements, and the value of soil
carbon sequestration; and
‘‘(8) such other topics as are identified by the
Secretary.
‘‘(f) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012.
‘‘SEC. 9013. RENEWABLE WOODY BIOMASS FOR ENERGY.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the
Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as
the ‘Secretary’), shall conduct a competitive research, tech-
nology development, and technology application program to
encourage the use of renewable woody biomass for energy.
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Entities eligible to compete
under the program shall include—
‘‘(1) the Forest Service (through Research and
Development);
‘‘(2) other Federal agencies;
‘‘(3) State and local governments;
‘‘(4) federally recognized Indian tribes;
‘‘(5) colleges and universities; and
‘‘(6) private entities.
‘‘(c) PRIORITY FOR PROJECT SELECTION.—The Sec-
retary shall give priority under the program to projects
that—
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‘‘(1) develop technology and techniques to use
low-value woody biomass sources, such as byproducts
of forest health treatments and hazardous fuels reduc-
tion, for the production of energy;
‘‘(2) develop processes that integrate production
of energy from woody biomass into biorefineries or
other existing manufacturing streams;
‘‘(3) develop new transportation fuels from
woody biomass; and
‘‘(4) improve the growth and yield of trees in-
tended for renewable energy production.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
‘‘SEC. 9014. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY
WOOD
ENERGY
PLAN.—The
term ‘community wood energy plan’ means a plan
that identifies how local forests can be accessed in a
sustainable manner to help meet the wood supply
needs of a community wood energy system.
‘‘(2) COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY SYSTEM.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘community
wood energy system’ means an energy system
that—
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‘‘(i) services schools, town halls, librar-
ies, and other public buildings; and
‘‘(ii) uses woody biomass as the pri-
mary fuel.
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘community
wood energy system’ includes single facility cen-
tral heating, district heating, combined heat and
energy systems, and other related biomass energy
systems.
‘‘(b) GRANT PROGRAM.—
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary, 
acting
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish
a program to be known as the ‘Community Wood En-
ergy Program’ to provide—
‘‘(A) grants of up to $50,000 to State and
local governments (or designees)—
‘‘(i) to conduct feasibility studies re-
lated to community wood energy plans; and
‘‘(ii) to develop community wood en-
ergy plans; and
‘‘(B) competitive grants to State and local
governments—
‘‘(i) to acquire or upgrade community
wood energy systems for public buildings;
and
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‘‘(ii) to implement a community wood
energy plan.
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting applicants
for grants under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary
shall consider—
‘‘(A) the energy efficiency of the proposed
system; and
‘‘(B) other conservation and environmental
criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate.
‘‘(c) COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY PLAN.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State or local government
that receives a grant under subsection (b)(1)(A), shall
use the grant, and the technical assistance of the State
forester, to create a community wood energy plan to
meet the wood supply needs of the community wood
energy system, in a sustainable manner, that the
State or local government proposes to purchase under
this section.
‘‘(2) USE OF PLAN.—A State or local government
applying to receive a competitive grant described in
subsection (b)(1)(B) shall submit to the Secretary as
part of the grant application the applicable commu-
nity wood energy plan described in paragraph (1).
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‘‘(3) REQUIREMENT.—To be included in a com-
munity wood energy plan, property shall be subject to
a forest management plan.
‘‘(d) USE IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.—A State or local
government that receives a grant under subsection (b)(1)(B)
shall use a community wood energy system acquired, in
whole or in part, with the use of the grant funds for pri-
mary use in a public facility owned by the State or local
government.
‘‘(e) LIMITATION.—A community wood energy system
acquired with grant funds provided under subsection
(b)(1)(B) shall not exceed an output of—
‘‘(1) 50,000,000 Btu per hour for heating; and
‘‘(2) 2 megawatts for electric power production.
‘‘(f) MATCHING FUNDS.—A State or local government
that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall contribute
an amount of non-Federal funds towards the feasibility
study, development of the community wood energy plan, or
acquisition of the community wood energy systems that is
at least equal to the amount of grant funds received by the
State or local government under that subsection.
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
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‘‘SEC. 9015. RURAL ENERGY SYSTEMS RENEWAL.
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to es-
tablish a Federal program—
‘‘(1) to encourage communities in rural areas of
the United States to establish energy systems renewal
strategies for their communities;
‘‘(2) to provide the information, analysis assist-
ance, and guidance that the communities need; and
‘‘(3) to provide financial resources to partially
fund the costs of carrying out community energy sys-
tems renewal projects.
‘‘(b) PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish and carry out a program of competitive grants to
support communities in rural areas in carrying out rural
energy systems renewal projects.
‘‘(c) USE OF GRANTS.—A community may use a grant
provided under this section to carry out a project—
‘‘(1) to conduct an energy assessment that as-
sesses total energy usage by all members and activities
of the community, including an assessment of—
‘‘(A) energy used in community facilities,
including energy for heating, cooling, lighting,
and all other building and facility uses;
‘‘(B) energy used in transportation by com-
munity members;
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‘‘(C) current sources and types of energy
used;
‘‘(D) energy embedded in other materials
and products;
‘‘(E) the major impacts of the energy usage
(including the impact on the quantity of oil im-
ported, total costs, the environment, and green-
house gas emissions); and
‘‘(F) such other activities as are determined
appropriate by the community, consistent with
the purposes described in subsection (a);
‘‘(2) to formulate and analyze ideas for reducing
conventional energy usage and greenhouse gas emis-
sions by the community, including reduction of en-
ergy usage through—
‘‘(A) housing insulation, automatic controls
on lighting and electronics, zone energy usage,
and home energy conservation practices;
‘‘(B) transportation alternatives, vehicle op-
tions, transit options, transportation conserva-
tion, and walk- and bike-to-school programs;
‘‘(C) community configuration alternatives
to provide pedestrian access to regular services;
and
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‘‘(D) community options for alternative en-
ergy systems (including alternative fuels, photo-
voltaic electricity, wind energy, geothermal heat
pump systems, and combined heat and power);
‘‘(3) to formulate and implement community
strategies for reducing conventional energy usage and
greenhouse gas emissions by the community;
‘‘(4) to conduct assessments and to track and
record the results of energy system changes; and
‘‘(5) to train rural community energy profes-
sionals to provide expert support to community en-
ergy systems renewal projects.
‘‘(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal cost of carrying
out a project under this section shall be 50 percent of the
total cost of the project.
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall—
‘‘(1) issue, an annual basis, requests for pro-
posals from communities in rural areas for energy
systems renewal projects; and
‘‘(2) in consultation with the Secretary of En-
ergy and the Secretary of Transportation, as appro-
priate, establish criteria for program participation
and evaluation of projects carried out under this sec-
tion, including criteria based on—
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‘‘(A) the quality of the renewal projects pro-
posed;
‘‘(B) the probability of success of the com-
munity in meeting the energy systems renewal
goals of the community;
‘‘(C) the projected energy savings (including
oil savings) resulting from the proposed projects;
and
‘‘(D) projected greenhouse gas emission re-
ductions resulting from the proposed projects.
‘‘(f) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary
of Transportation, shall—
‘‘(1) develop, and provide through the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture or State Energy Of-
fices, information and tools that communities in
rural areas can use—
‘‘(A) to assess the current energy systems of
the communities, including sources, uses, and
impacts;
‘‘(B) to identify and evaluate options for
changes;
‘‘(C) to develop strategies and plans for
changes; and
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‘‘(D) to implement changes and assess the
impact of the changes; and
‘‘(2) provide technical assistance and support to
communities in rural areas that receive grants under
this section to assist the communities in carrying out
projects under this section.
‘‘(g) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 2011, and
biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate a report that documents the best practices and ap-
proaches used by communities in rural areas that receive
funds under this section.
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to make
grants under this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012.
‘‘SEC. 9016. VOLUNTARY RENEWABLE BIOMASS CERTIFI-
CATION PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consulta-
tion with Administrator, shall establish a voluntary pro-
gram to certify renewable biomass that meets sustainable
growing standards designed—
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‘‘(1) to reduce greenhouse gases and improve soil
carbon content;
‘‘(2) to protect wildlife habitat, and
‘‘(3) to protect air, soil, and water quality.
‘‘(b) VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—
To qualify for certification under the program established
under subsection (a), a biomass crop shall be inspected and
certified as meeting the standards adopted under subsection
(c) by an inspector designated under subsection (d).
‘‘(c) PRODUCTION STANDARDS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall adopt
standards for the certification of renewable biomass
under subsection (b) that will apply to those pro-
ducers who elect to participate in the voluntary cer-
tification program.
‘‘(2) 
REQUIREMENT.—The 
standards 
under
paragraph (1) shall provide measurement of a numer-
ical reduction in greenhouse gases, improvement to
soil carbon content, and reduction in soil and water
pollutants, based on the recommendations of an advi-
sory committee jointly established by the Secretary
and the Administrator.
‘‘(d) INSPECTORS.—The Secretary shall designate in-
spectors that the Secretary determines are qualified to carry
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out inspections and certifications under subsection (b) in
order to certify renewable biomass under this section.
‘‘(e) DESIGNATION.—A product produced from renew-
able biomass that is certified under this section may be des-
ignated as having been produced from certified renewable
biomass if—
‘‘(1) the producer of the product verifies that the
product was produced from renewable biomass; and
‘‘(2) the verification includes a copy of the cer-
tification obtained in accordance with subsection (b).
‘‘SEC. 9017. ADMINISTRATION.
‘‘The Secretary shall designate an entity within the
Department of Agriculture to—
‘‘(1) provide oversight and coordination of all
activities relating to renewable energy and biobased
product development within the Department;
‘‘(2) act as a liaison between the Department
and other Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure
coordination among activities relating to renewable
energy and biobased product development;
‘‘(3) assist agriculture researchers by evaluating
the market potential of new biobased products in the
initial phase of development;
‘‘(4) collect and disseminate information relating
to renewable energy and biobased product develop-
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ment programs, including research, within the Fed-
eral Government; and
‘‘(5) establish and maintain a public database of
best practices to facilitate information sharing relat-
ing to—
‘‘(A) renewable energy and biobased product
development from programs under this title and
other programs; and
‘‘(B) best practices for producing, collecting,
harvesting, storing, and transporting crops of re-
newable biomass, as described under section
9004(d)(3)(B) of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002.
‘‘SEC. 9018. BIOFUELS INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in collaboration
with the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator, and the
Secretary of Transportation, shall—
‘‘(1) conduct an assessment of the infrastructure
needs for expanding the domestic production, trans-
port, and marketing of biofuels and bioenergy;
‘‘(2) formulate recommendations for infrastruc-
ture development needs and approaches; and
‘‘(3) submit a report describing the assessment
and recommendations to—
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‘‘(A) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate;
‘‘(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate;
‘‘(C) the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate; and
‘‘(D) the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate.
‘‘(b) INFRASTRUCTURE AREAS.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall consider—
‘‘(1) biofuel transport and delivery infrastructure
issues, including shipment by rail, truck, pipeline, or
barge;
‘‘(2) biofuel storage needs;
‘‘(3) biomass feedstock delivery needs, including
adequacy of rural roads;
‘‘(4) biomass feedstock storage needs;
‘‘(5) water resource needs, including water re-
quirements for biorefineries;
‘‘(6) education and outreach for agricultural
producers transitioning to cellulosic feedstocks; and
‘‘(7) such other infrastructure issues as the Sec-
retary may determine.
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary shall consider—
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‘‘(1) estimated future biofuels production levels
of—
‘‘(A) 20,000,000,000 gallons per year to
40,000,000,000 gallons per year by 2020; and
‘‘(B) 50,000,000,000 gallons per year to
75,000,000,000 gallons per year by 2030;
‘‘(2) the feasibility of shipping biofuels through
existing pipelines;
‘‘(3) the development of new biofuels pipelines,
including siting, financing, timing, and other eco-
nomic issues;
‘‘(4) the environmental implications of alter-
native approaches to infrastructure development;
‘‘(5) the resource use and conservation character-
istics of alternative approaches to infrastructure de-
velopment;
‘‘(6) the impact on the development of renewable
energy when public and private utilities do not pay
competitive rates for wind, solar, and biogas energy
from agricultural sources; and
‘‘(7) the environmental benefits of planting pe-
rennial grasses for the production of cellulosic eth-
anol.
‘‘(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—In carrying out this section,
the Secretary—
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‘‘(1) shall consult with individuals and entities
with interest or expertise in the areas described in
subsections (b) and (c); and
‘‘(2) may issue a solicitation for a competition
to select a contractor to support the Secretary.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
‘‘SEC. 9019. RURAL NITROGEN FERTILIZER STUDY.
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are—
‘‘(1) to assess the feasibility of producing nitro-
gen fertilizer from renewable energy resources in rural
areas; and
‘‘(2) to formulate recommendations for a pro-
gram to promote rural nitrogen fertilizer production
from renewable energy resources in the future.
‘‘(b) STUDY.—The Secretary shall—
‘‘(1) conduct a study to assess and summarize
the current state of knowledge regarding the potential
for the production of nitrogen fertilizer from renew-
able energy sources in rural areas;
‘‘(2) identify the critical challenges to commer-
cialization of rural production of nitrogen fertilizer
from renewables; and
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‘‘(3) not later than 270 days after the date of en-
actment of this section, submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report that summarizes the
results of the activities described in paragraphs (1)
and (2).
‘‘(c) NEEDS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Based on the results of the
study described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall
identify the critical needs to commercializing the
rural production of nitrogen fertilizer from renew-
ables, including—
‘‘(A) identifying alternative processes for re-
newables-to-nitrogen fertilizer production;
‘‘(B) identifying efficiency improvements
that are necessary for each component of renew-
ables-to-nitrogen fertilizer production processes to
produce cost-competitive nitrogen fertilizer;
‘‘(C) identifying research and technology
priorities for the most promising technologies;
‘‘(D) identifying economic analyses needed
to better understand the commercial potential of
rural nitrogen production from renewables;
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‘‘(E) identifying additional challenges im-
peding commercialization, including—
‘‘(i) cost competition from nitrogen fer-
tilizer produced using natural gas and coal;
‘‘(ii) modifications or expansion need-
ed to the currently-installed nitrogen fer-
tilizer (anhydrous ammonia) pipeline and
storage tank system to enable interconnec-
tion of on-farm or rural renewables-to-ni-
trogen fertilizer systems;
‘‘(iii) impact on nitrogen fertilizer
(anhydrous ammonia) transportation infra-
structure, safety, and security;
‘‘(iv) supply of competitively-priced re-
newable electricity; and
‘‘(v) impacts on domestic water sup-
plies; and
‘‘(F) determining greenhouse gas reduction
benefits of producing nitrogen fertilizer from re-
newable energy.
‘‘(d) PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS.—As part of the
report described in subsection (b)(3) and based on the needs
identified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall provide rec-
ommendations on—
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‘‘(1) the establishment of a research, development,
and demonstration program to support commer-
cialization of rural nitrogen production using renew-
ables;
‘‘(2) the appropriate contents of the program;
‘‘(3) the appropriate approach to implementing
the program, including participants and funding
plans; and
‘‘(4) legislation to support commercialization of
rural nitrogen production using renewables.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
‘‘SEC. 9020. STUDY OF LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS OF BIOFUELS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator, shall
conduct a study of—
‘‘(1) published methods for evaluating the
lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of conventional
fuels and biofuels; and
‘‘(2) methods for performing simplified, stream-
lined lifecycle analyses of the greenhouse gas emis-
sions of conventional fuels and biofuels.
‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to
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the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results
of the study conducted under subsection (a), including rec-
ommendations for a method for performing a simplified,
streamlined lifecycle analysis of the greenhouse gas emis-
sions of biofuels and fossil fuels that includes—
‘‘(1) greenhouse gas emissions relating to the
production, extraction, transportation, storage, and
waste disposal of the fuels and the feedstocks of the
fuels, including the greenhouse gases associated with
electrical and thermal energy inputs;
‘‘(2) greenhouse gas emissions relating to the dis-
tribution, marketing, and use of the fuels; and
‘‘(3) to the maximum extent practicable, direct
and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from changes
in land use and land cover that occur domestically or
internationally as a result of biofuel feedstock produc-
tion.
‘‘(c) UPDATE.—Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the Secretary submits the report under subsection
(b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an
update containing recommendations for an improved meth-
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od for conducting lifecycle analysis of the greenhouse gas
emissions of biofuels and fossil fuels that takes into account
advances in the understanding of the emissions.
‘‘SEC. 9021. E–85 FUEL PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) E–85 FUEL.—The term ‘E–85 fuel’ means
a blend of gasoline at least 85 percent (or any other
percentage, but not less than 70 percent, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, by rule, to provide for re-
quirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle
functions) of the content of which is derived from eth-
anol.
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE FACILITY.—The term ‘eligible fa-
cility’ means an ethanol production facility, the ma-
jority ownership of which is comprised of agricultural
producers.
‘‘(b) PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall make grants
under this section to eligible facilities—
‘‘(1) to install E–85 fuel infrastructure, includ-
ing infrastructure necessary—
‘‘(A) for the direct retail sale of E–85 fuel,
including E–85 fuel pumps and storage tanks;
and
‘‘(B) to directly market E–85 fuel to gas re-
tailers, including in-line blending equipment,
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pumps, storage tanks, and load-out equipment;
and
‘‘(2) to provide subgrants to direct retailers of
E–85 fuel that are located in a rural area (as defined
in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a))) for the purpose
of installing E–85 fuel infrastructure for the direct
retail sale of E–85 fuel, including E–85 fuel pumps
and storage tanks.
‘‘(c) COST SHARING.—
‘‘(1) GRANTS.—The amount of a grant under
this section shall be equal to 20 percent of the total
costs of the installation of the E–85 fuel infrastruc-
ture, as determined by the Secretary.
‘‘(2) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL FUND-
ING.—The amount of a grant that an eligible facility
receives under this section shall be reduced by the
amount of other Federal funding that the eligible fa-
cility receives for the same purpose, as determined by
the Secretary.
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—Not more than 70 percent of
the total costs of E–85 fuel infrastructure provided as-
sistance under this section shall be provided by the
Federal Government and State and local govern-
ments.
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‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Subject
to the availability of appropriations, there is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for
the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain
available until expended.
‘‘SEC. 9022. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in conjunction
with the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, shall
carry out a research and development program relating to
renewable energy—
‘‘(1) to conduct research on and develop high-
quality energy crops that—
‘‘(A) have high energy production values;
‘‘(B) are cost efficient for producers and re-
finers;
‘‘(C) are well suited to high yields with
minimal inputs in arid and semiarid regions;
and
‘‘(D) are regionally appropriate;
‘‘(2) to conduct research on and develop bio-
refining and biofuels through multidisciplinary re-
search, including research relating to—
‘‘(A) biochemical engineering;
‘‘(B) process engineering;
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‘‘(C) thermochemical engineering;
‘‘(D) product engineering; and
‘‘(E) systems engineering;
‘‘(3) to develop cost-effective methods for the har-
vesting, handling, transport, and storage of cellulosic
biomass feedstocks;
‘‘(4) to conduct research on and develop fer-
tilizers from biobased sources other than hydrocarbon
fuels;
‘‘(5) to develop energy- and water-efficient irri-
gation systems;
‘‘(6) to research and develop water-efficient
biofuel production technologies;
‘‘(7) to research and develop additional biobased
products;
‘‘(8) in cooperation with the Department of En-
ergy and the Department of Defense, to develop stor-
age and conversion technologies for wind- and solar-
generated power for small-scale and utility-scale gen-
eration facilities; and
‘‘(9) in cooperation with the Department of En-
ergy, to research fuel cell technologies for use in farm,
ranch, and rural applications.
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain
available until expended.
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDS.—In addition to funds
made available under paragraph (1), there are au-
thorized to be appropriated—
‘‘(A) $110,000,000 to the Under Secretary
for Research, Education, and Economics, acting
through the Agricultural Research Service, for
cellulosic biofuel research for each of fiscal years
2008 through 2012; and
‘‘(B) $110,000,000 to the Secretary and the
Secretary of Energy for the development of
smaller-scale biorefineries and biofuel plants for
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
‘‘SEC. 9023. NORTHEAST DAIRY NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) 
CONSORTIUM.—The 
term 
‘consortium’
means a collaboration of land-grant colleges or uni-
versities in the Northeast region that have programs
devoted to dairy manure nutrient management and
energy conversion from dairy manure.
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‘‘(2) 
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVER-
SITIES.—The term ‘land-grant colleges and univer-
sities’ has the meaning given the term in section 1404
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)).
‘‘(3) NORTHEAST REGION.—The term ‘Northeast
region’ means the States of Connecticut, Delaware,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and West Virginia.
‘‘(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘program’ means the
dairy nutrient management and energy development
program established under subsection (b).
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
a dairy nutrient management and energy development pro-
gram under which the Secretary shall provide funds to the
consortium to carry out multistate, integrated research, ex-
tension, and demonstration projects for nutrient manage-
ment and energy development in the Northeast Region.
‘‘(c) STEERING COMMITTEE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The consortium shall estab-
lish a steering committee to administer the program.
‘‘(2) CHAIRPERSON.—For each calendar year, or
for such other period as the consortium determines to
be appropriate, the consortium shall select a chair-
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person of the steering committee in a manner that en-
sures that each member of the consortium is rep-
resented by a chairperson on a rotating basis.
‘‘(3) BOARD.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The steering committee
shall establish a board of directors to assist in
the administration of the program.
‘‘(B) COMPOSITION.—The board shall con-
sist of representatives of—
‘‘(i) dairy cooperatives and other pro-
ducer groups;
‘‘(ii) State departments of agriculture;
‘‘(iii) conservation organizations; and
‘‘(iv) other appropriate Federal and
State agencies.
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—The consortium
may use not more than 10 percent of the total amount
of funds provided to the consortium under this section
to pay the administrative costs of the program.
‘‘(2) GRANT PROGRAM.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The consortium shall
use the amounts provided under this section to
provide grants to applicants, including dairy co-
operatives, producers and producer groups, State
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departments of agriculture and other appro-
priate State agencies, and institutions of higher
education, to carry out integrated research, ex-
tension, and demonstration projects in the
Northeast region to address manure nutrient
management and energy development.
‘‘(B) APPLICATIONS.—The steering com-
mittee established under subsection (c)(1), in co-
ordination with the board established by the
steering committee, shall annually publish 1 or
more requests to receive applications for grants
under this paragraph.
‘‘(C) SELECTION.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The board of the
steering committee shall select applications
submitted under subparagraph (B) for
grants under this paragraph—
‘‘(I) on a competitive basis;
‘‘(II) in accordance with such pri-
ority technical areas and distribution
requirements as the steering committee
may establish; and
‘‘(III) in a manner that ensures,
to the maximum extent practicable,
that an equal quantity of resources is
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provided to each member of the consor-
tium.
‘‘(ii) REVIEW.—Before selecting any
application under clause (i), the board shall
ensure that the program proposed in the ap-
plication is subject to a merit review by an
independent panel of scientific experts with
experience relating to the program.
‘‘(iii) PRIORITY.—In selecting applica-
tions under clause (i), the board shall give
priority 
to 
applications 
for 
programs
that—
‘‘(I) include multiorganizational
partnerships, especially partnerships
that include producers; and
‘‘(II) attract the most current and
applicable science for nutrient manage-
ment and energy development that can
be applied in the Northeast region.
‘‘(D) COST
SHARING.—An applicant that
receives a grant under this paragraph shall pro-
vide not less than 20 percent of the cost of the
project carried out by the applicant.
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‘‘(e) AVAILABILITY
OF RESULTS.—The consortium
shall ensure that the results of each project carried out pur-
suant to the program are made publicly available.
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this section.
‘‘SEC. 9024. REPORT ON THE GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR CEL-
LULOSIC MATERIAL.
‘‘Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a comprehensive report that, on a State-by-State basis—
‘‘(1) identifies the range of cellulosic feedstock
materials that can be grown and are viable can-
didates for renewable fuel production;
‘‘(2) estimates the acreage available for growing
the cellulosic feedstock materials identified under
paragraph (1);
‘‘(3) estimates the quantity of available energy
per acre for each cellulosic feedstock material identi-
fied under paragraph (1);
‘‘(4) calculates the development potential for
growing cellulosic feedstock materials, based on—
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‘‘(A) the range of cellulosic materials avail-
able for growth;
‘‘(B) soil quality;
‘‘(C) climate variables;
‘‘(D) the quality and availability of water;
‘‘(E) agriculture systems that are in place
as of the date of enactment of this Act;
‘‘(F) available acreage; and
‘‘(G) other relevant factors identified by the
Secretary; and
‘‘(5) rates the development potential for growing
cellulosic feedstock material, with the ratings dis-
played on maps of the United States that indicate the
development potential of each State, as calculated by
the Secretary under paragraph (4).
‘‘SEC. 9025. FUTURE FARMSTEADS PROGRAM.
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
a program to equip, in each of 5 regions of the United
States chosen to represent different farming practices, a
farm house and its surrounding fields, facilities, and for-
ested areas with technologies to—
‘‘(1) improve farm energy production and energy
use efficiencies;
‘‘(2) provide working examples to farmers; and
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‘‘(3) serve as an education, demonstration, and
research facility that will teach graduate students
whose focus of research is related to either renewable
energy or energy conservation technologies.
‘‘(b) GOALS.—The goals of the program established
under subsection (a) shall be to—
‘‘(1) advance farm energy use efficiencies and the
on-farm production of renewable energies, along with
advanced communication and control technologies
with the latest in energy capture and conversion tech-
niques, thereby enhancing rural energy independence
and creating new revenues for rural economies;
‘‘(2) accelerate private sector and university re-
search into the efficient on-farm production of renew-
able fuels and help educate the farming industry, stu-
dents, and the general public; and
‘‘(3) accelerate energy independence, including
the production and the conservation of renewable en-
ergies on farms.
‘‘(c) 
COLLABORATION
PARTNERS.—The 
program
under this section shall be carried out in partnership with
regional land grant institutions, agricultural commodity
commissions, biofuels companies, sensor and controls com-
panies, and internet technology companies.