Release No. 0338.97
Backgrounder




BIOMASS ENERGY PROJECTS PRESENT WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS,     
CONSERVATION, AND COMMUNITIES

     CENTERVILLE, IOWA , OCTOBER 6, 1997--The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with other
agencies and organizations in several projects around the country to develop locally sustainable source of biomass fuel and to show
the environmental and rural economic benefits of biomass power.
     
     The biomass projects support the Administration's efforts to address the global climate issue as well as to seek viable
energy alternatives to fossil fuels.  The energy crops reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, both by increasing the amount
of carbon held in the soil and, when burned for energy, by releasing less carbon dioxide than conventional fossil fuels.
     
     These biomass projects have the additional benefits of reducing soil erosion, enhancing water quality, and adding a cash
crop that both helps support energy independence and provides greater economic opportunity in rural communities.

     USDA is currently involved in three biomass projects nationwide.  They are:

     In Iowa, the USDA and the Department of Energy are working with the public and private sector on a biomass project for
rural development.  The project involves growing switchgrass as an energy crop, to be co-fired with coal to generate electricity. 
The switchgrass would generate about 35 megawatts of power.  An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 acres in southern Iowa are expected to
be established by the year 2000 to produce switchgrass and generate an income up to $200 an acre.  Studies have shown that
retrofitting the existing power plant -- needed to allow "co-firing" -- can be accomplished in a timely, cost-effective manner.
     
     In Minnesota, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and the University of Minnesota are developing a new
alfalfa variety that will double both as a high-protein feed source for dairy cattle and an environmentally friendly energy source
to generate electricity for Minnesota consumers.  A feasibility study has shown the new variety can be grown profitably by selling
the stems as an energy source and the leaves as livestock feed.  A farmer cooperative with more than 400 members has been formed to
grow and market the dual-purpose alfalfa, which is expected to produce 75 megawatts of electricity annually from 600,000 tons of
alfalfa hay grown on 180,000 acres in southwestern Minnesota.  Alfalfa leaf meal is a valuable byproduct of the biomass energy
project, providing high-quality feed for local dairy cattle.
   
                    
                            
                                
     In New York, the Willows Project is working to establish willow trees as one of the first commercial energy crops for power
production by the year
 2000.  The project is focused on identifying new feedstocks and developing environmentally friendly, commercially viable biomass
energy systems.  About 40,000 to 60,000 acres of willow in New York planted by 2010 will produce energy crop fuel sales of almost
$20 million annually, with electricity sales derived from biomass fuels approaching $135 million yearly.  Another possible outcome
from the venture could be a net reduction in federal and land rent and crop subsidy payments for traditional farmland through the
development of alternative crops and land uses.  Also, the willow planting would bring additional values to farm communities by
serving as living "snow fences" effectively controlling soil erosion, and generating composting material.
                                
                                #

NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov