Energy News Network (https://energynews.us/author/environment-and-energy-daily/)
Critics of the ethanol industry are emboldened by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s victory Monday in the Iowa Republican presidential caucus, but not everyone agrees the win spells political trouble for the industry.
Lawmakers are likely to scrutinize what DOE got for the money it spent on FutureGen and whether there are any possibilities of reviving the project.
The solar, wind and biofuels industries are urging the 41-member bicameral farm bill conference committee to provide rural energy programs nearly $1 billion in mandatory funding.
The USDA’s ability to carry out rural renewable energy projects was left to dangle Monday night with the expiration of the farm bill.
Renewable energy and chemical advocates are putting pressure on congressional agriculture leaders to support robust funding for rural energy and biofuel programs as leaders head into a conference committee on the farm bill.