Farm Energy

The USDA has now issued the forms that farmers and biomass conversion facilities need to apply for Collection, Harvest, Storage and Transportation (CHST) payments under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

The Notice of Funds Availability was issued on June 11th, and USDA is now accepting applications from both farmers and biomass conversion facilities wishing to participate in this part of the program.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and no deadline for applications has been set.  See your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for more information on applying for BCAP CHST payments. (more…)

The results of ELPC’s survey on the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) are now available.  A total of 96 responses were tallied, with valuable input coming in from all over the country, from Alabama to California and Minnesota to New York.    The affiliations of the respondents were equally as diverse: Farm owners, academics, venture capitalists, utilities and many others all took the time to give us their thoughts on the best way to implement BCAP. (more…)

The 2008 Farm Bill contained the groundbreaking Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

This program, if taken up by local farm energy leaders, can spur a new climate-friendly and farmer-friendly energy source. BCAP, implemented well, could make a major difference for our energy future. (more…)

While energy crops like switchgrass are generally associated with liquid fuel production, a recent report (pdf) from Agrecol Corporation suggests that other routes can use the energy source sooner, and perhaps, even more efficiently. Pellets can be an efficient solution for heating-a challenge for many rural businesses in the midst of high and volatile fuel costs.

Rather than wait for cellulosic ethanol, grass pellets are today fueling space heating, power generation and other high efficiency uses. This approach “primes the pump” for developing energy crop economies so that they will be more ready to deliver when cellulosic ethanol is market-ready. (more…)