Today the Senate will take up the Farm Bill, S. 3240, at 2:15 p.m., and begin debating and voting on more than 70 amendments. It is important for the algae community to add its voice today.
Included in these amendments is one proposed by Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) that will effectively strike Section 9003, the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance programs. This amendment will eliminate the program and its mandatory funding. As you know, Section 9003 of the Farm Bill provides loan guarantees for the development, construction and retrofitting of commercial-scale biorefineries, and grants to help pay for the development and construction costs of demonstration-scale biorefineries.
It is unknown when this amendment will come up during the debate, as the Senate will be voting continuously in what is known as a “voterama.” Therefore, it is important to contact your Senators now and ask them to vote NO on the Toomey Amendment, #2226.
Senators do listen to their constituents, and your support can help the industry in its efforts to provide America with renewable sources of domestically produced fuel, food and other products.