United States to develop biofuels

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy and Agriculture departments will work to develop biofuels.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Energy Secretary Sam Bodman announced the release of their National Biofuels Action Plan.

The interagency plan will help to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry in the United States. The NBAP was developed in response to President Bush's "Twenty in Ten" goal, which calls for U.S. gasoline consumption to be cut by 20 percent over the next 10 years.

The NBAP was developed and is being implemented by the Biomass Research and Development Board, co-chaired by officials from both departments.

The plan includes focusing funding in several research areas, including sustainability, feedstock production, feedstock logistics, conversion science and technology, distribution infrastructure, blending, environment, health and safety.

Interagency work groups already have been chosen to deliver results.

Since 2006 the Energy Department has dedicated more than $1 billion to cellulosic biofuel, and the Department of Agriculture has invested almost $600 million.