Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA has met President Obama’s 30-day directive to expedite and increase the production of biofuels.

“Further developing the biofuels industry helps create jobs and stimulates rural economies, an important part of getting our economy back on track,” Vilsack announced. “President Obama and I are committed to advancing clean and renewable energy as it creates jobs domestically and boosts tax revenues at all levels of government.”

Among the objectives USDA was asked to accomplish on May 5 were biofuels provisions of the energy title of the 2008 Farm Bill, including providing loan guarantees and grants for biorefineries, expediting funding to encourage biorefineries to replace the use of fossil fuels in plant operations and encouraging production of next-generation biofuels.

USDA is also launching the Biomass Crop Assistance Program for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass for conversion facilities.