Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels.

There is growing speculation that additional government money will not be appropriated to fund new biomass crop projects in 2011.

The Composite Panel Assn. is among several industry groups lauding U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for recognizing the value of existing markets for wood fiber and making clarifications in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s final rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

One of the main sticking points for industry — that wood chips were not recognized as being used for high-value products — has been eliminated under the final Biomass Crop Assistance Program rule, announced on Oct. 21.

The Composite Panel Assn. (CPA) says it has submitted comments in response to the proposed Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

Is the Obama Administration’s renewable energy policy secretly aimed at destroying the U.S. particleboard and MDF industry, with the added collateral damage to manufacturers of cabinets, furniture and other panel users?

The Composite Panel Assn. has made reform of the Biomas Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) a priority.

The Composite Panel Assn. (CPA) has filed comments seeking amendments to the proposed rule for the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).