USDA is working within the Department and with other Federal departments and organizations on furthering renewable energy and energy efficiency through targeted projects supporting clean energy. For additional information on these projects, see full detailed document of Agreement or the Memorandum of Understanding linked below.
Current Partnerships
Biomass Research & Development
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy co-chairs the Biomass Research & Development committee of senior decision makers from federal agencies and the White House. The Board coordinates Government-wide research initiative and activities for the purpose of advancing bioenergy technologies.
View the Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Flex Fuel Pumps
The USDA supports the research, investment, and infrastructure that are needed to implement a nationwide biofuels industry, strengthening energy security, reducing emissions and creating jobs. Although there are nearly 10 million flex fuel vehicles on the road, which have the ability to use fuel containing up to 85 percent ethanol (E85), higher blends are not available to give these consumers a choice at the fueling stations when they fill up. The Obama Administration has set a goal of making 10,000 new flex fuel pumps available to America's drivers within the next five years. Funding for flexible fuel dispenser projects will be available through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Flex-fuel Vehicles
Memorandum of Understanding with the Dairy Industry
The Department has teamed with the Innovation Center for U. S. Dairy. Their first priority is the reduction of greenhouse Gas emissions. In 2009, they established a goal and Roadmap for the entire value chain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the year 2020. The team is also committed to accelerating and streamlining the process for adopting anaerobic digesters by the United States dairy farm operators through various USDA programs.
View the Memorandum of Understanding with the Dairy Industry (PDF, 111 KB)
Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Navy
USDA and the Department of Navy are working jointly to encourage maximum use of renewable energy with the goal of providing technical assistance and financial products to qualified entities for the development of advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems to meet both commercial and military transportation needs.
View the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Navy (PDF, 217 KB)
Memorandum of Understanding between USDA and DOE: Relative to Cooperation and Coordination on Improving Energy Development Rural America
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two departments to promote rural energy and the development of technologies that will support and advance rural and agricultural communities and domestic manufacturing. The MOU, requirement under section 6501 of the 2018 Farm Bill, will enhance collaboration and coordination between the DOE and USDA. The areas covered by the MOU include facilitating energy-related investments in America's rural communities; streamlining, leveraging and optimizing program resources; encouraging innovation; offering technical assistance to rural communities; strengthening energy-related infrastructure; ensuring affordable and reliable power; and helping rural businesses export energy products and manufactured goods around the world. View the signed MOU (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Secretary's Biofuels Production Roadmap
USDA is developing a comprehensive regional strategy to help recharge the rural American economy. The strategy targets barriers to the development of a successful biofuels market that will achieve, or surpass, the current U.S. Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS2), as set out in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA).
View the USDA Regional Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022 report (PDF, 771 KB)
View Biofuels Roadmap Stakeholder Input Summaries Report (PDF, 307 KB)
USDA Regional Biomass Research Centers
USDA is developing sustainable supply chain strategies and science-based implementation plans designed to accelerate biofuels feedstock production and reduce transaction costs to feedstock producers and biorefineries. Regionalized biofuels feedstock production and conversion systems can minimize transaction costs and create new rural wealth. USDA is coordinating with Department of Energy to enhance work underway through DOE's Regional Feedstock Partnerships and the Bioenergy Research Centers.
ARS and the Regional Biomass Research Centers