[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
Biomass Research and Development Act of 1999, a bill intended to expand 
research and development programs in the use of biomass--crop residues 
and other organic sources--in the production of energy, fuels, and 
other products.
  I am pleased that the gentleman from New York, Mr. Boehlert, and the 
gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Minge, are joining me as original 
cosponsors of this bill.
  By coordinating research efforts and providing research grants to 
promote biomass conversion techniques, this bill will accelerate our 
efforts to explore and develop these technologies and integrate 
existing biomass R&D efforts.
  ``Biomass'' encompasses plants, trimmings, and other wastes that can 
be used to make energy. Increased biomass use has the potential to 
provide economic, national energy security, environmental and public 
health benefits, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, cutting 
greenhouse gas emissions, and creating jobs. Some estimates suggest 
that if the U.S. were to triple its use of bioenergy and biobased 
products in the next decade (currently only 3 percent of our energy 
sources come from biomass), we would generate as much as $20 billion a 
year in new income for farmers and rural communities.
  As awareness of these potential benefits has increased, there is 
growing agreement on the need for cross-cutting and integrated 
approaches in our efforts to foster the development of the U.S. biomass 
industry. My bill would help lower the cost of research and development 
for this industry, encourage the evaluation of new energy crops, and 
accelerate the development of advanced biomass technologies to produce 
a variety of energy-related products and reduce our reliance on fossil 
fuels.
  Specifically, the bill would: set up an integrated program of R&D 
activities related to the conversion of biomass into biobased products; 
authorize funding for research to evaluate the potential energy, 
economic, environmental, and social impacts of biobased production 
systems; authorize an interagency board to promote closer coordination 
and cooperation among federal agencies' research and development 
programs and other activities related to biobased products; authorize 
the creation of an advisory committee to provide input to federal 
biomass research and development programs from non-governmental groups 
with expertise and interest in biomass utilization; authorize 
additional federal resources for competitively-awarded grants, 
contracts, and other financial assistance--preferably to consortia--for 
research, development, and demonstration with respect to biobased 
products.
  Biomass resources are an important domestic and renewable source of 
energy. This bill would boost efforts to utilize them to their full 
potential, ensuring a clean, sustainable, and secure energy supply for 
our nation's future. I look forward to working with the bill's 
cosponsors and other Members of the House to move forward with this 
important initiative.

                          ____________________