NSAC's Blog
Millions of Dollars Available to Support Biomass Crop Production for Bioenergy
June 3, 2015
On Monday, June 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of $19.5 million for the production of energy crops and the harvest and delivery of forest or agricultural residues to qualifying energy facilities. Farmers can apply for funding through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).
BCAP was established by the 2008 Farm Bill as a new Title IX energy program, and the 2014 Farm Bill provides $25 million per year for BCAP. USDA may award between 50 and 90 percent of annual BCAP funding to producers to establish and produce perennial biomass, such as native grasses and forbs. The Farm Bill authorizes USDA to spend between 10 and 50 percent of BCAP funding to help producers connect with bioenergy facilities through the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of biomass residues (payments for these activities are referred to collectively as “matching payments”).
While the Farm Bill provides $25 million per year, FY15 appropriations legislation limited funding to $23 million and sequestration further reduced that level. Moreover, some BCAP funding is dedicated in advance for technical assistance agreements related to conservation and forest stewardship planning for applicants.
Of the $19.5 million available for FY 2015, $11.5 million will be allocated for matching payments while $8 million will be allocated for the establishment and production of biomass in project areas.
NSAC believes that the establishment and maintenance of new, perennial energy crops is the more important part of the BCAP and should consume the bulk of the farm bill funding for the program. We argued this point in our recent comments on the BCAP final rule, and will continue to urge USDA to minimize the portion of funding that goes to the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of residues such as corn stover. We hope USDA will provide the bulk of the farm bill funding for perennial energy crops grown as part of farm conservation systems starting with next year’s funding allocations.
To see if your county is covered by a BCAP project, view the current project list. If you are located in a BCAP project area, you may apply to the program through your local FSA office.
Categories: Conservation, Energy & Environment, Grants and Programs
I have a 1/2 acre of shrub willow started and am looking for a biomass market. But KY is not on your list of states so far. Can you help me out here?
Robin,
Project areas are established based on proposals submitted to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) by either a group of producers or a being that converts biomass to heat, power, a biobased product or an advanced biofuel. Since you are interested in submitting a proposal, the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) encourages you to contact your FSA state office for details. To further guide you through the proposal process this link will be very helpful: http://askfsa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1452
Enrollment start dates will be announced by FSA, subject to funding availability. Applications will be taken at USDA Service Centers where the enrolled acres are or would be administered. For more information, contact your local FSA Service Center (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa).
Upon designation of a project area, certain producers within the project area are then eligible to enroll land into the program. Eligible land for BCAP project area contracts must be within an approved BCAP Project Area. If your proposal is approved you can find more information at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/energy-programs/BCAP/index
Thank you for your interest and I hope this points you in the right direction!