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The Biden Administration is weaving climate policy into almost every facet of the government, and at ABO we are working closely with the White House, Congress and federal agencies to ensure that the microalgae and seaweed industry can play its part.  A robust algae industry has the potential to employ thousands of people, lend solutions to hundreds of markets in need of sustainable options, and help lay the foundations for a low-carbon global economy. 

Smart policy choices can accelerate the day those benefits become a reality. From the design of regulations and R&D funding, to federal procurement rules and rural job development, ABO is making sure today’s policy discussions include the importance of algae. 

Here are some of the latest policy priorities ABO in working on:

Ensure Algae is Part of the Climate Fight

With the Administration’s commitment to making climate change a priority across government, ABO is busy providing input on how algae can fit into everything from carbon capture and land use decisions, to carbon offsets and more. 

• We recently provided input to help ensure algae and seaweed agriculture are eligible for provisions in the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The bill would help farmers tap into resources to allow them to get credits for adopting climate-smart practices, specifically current and future activities that prevent, reduce, or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon.
• We are currently engaged with a bipartisan coalition to ensure the algae can find even more support in the revolutionary 45Q tax credit for carbon utilization. We are advocating for changes that can incentivize carbon capture from an even wider range of algae producers. 

Supercharge Algae Agriculture with the Help of the USDA

At ABO we think it is vital to lay the foundations for a large-scale commercialization of algae farming that can be integral to classic agriculture.

The USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture strategy is one new initiative with great potential to leverage the innovation and potential of America’s farmers and ranchers to the cause of climate mitigation and adaptation. Algae farmers should be included in that strategy. 

We have asked USDA to consider a wide range of effective measures than can help the algae industry decarbonize agricultural practices and products, including:

• Supporting the launch of the Algae Center of Excellence, an ABO priority that will be key to coordinating algae research and commercialization into food, feed, biomaterials, soil amendments, CO2 removal, other GHG abatement, waterway restoration, Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB)  prevention and mitigation, and wastewater treatment.
• Investing in Carbon Capture and Utilization Innovation that can harness algae’s ability to to utilize non-arable land (in addition to CO2), fix soil carbon, remediate impaired waters, as well as to support rural development.
• Include algae in low-carbon bioenergy and biomaterials investments such as fuels, plastics, foam products, fertilizers/compost, and more.
• Include algae solutions in climate smart practices through USDA conservation programs, such as USDA tools like CometPlanner, that farmers use to evaluate crops for their carbon impacts.
• Support research, development and commercialization of HAB biomass as fertilizer and soil amendments. New technologies for HAB mitigation can physically remove algae from affected waterways, and further R&D can put these solutions into practice in communities across the U.S. 
• Increase SBIR grants for accelerating development and commercialization of algae products and services. SBIR grants have already helped startups develop kelp-enhanced breads, refine the process for producing valuable oils from algae, and create algae-based aquaculture feed. The USDA should join other agencies in supporting more innovations like these. 
• Include algae solutions in Carbon Bank development: If USDA considers launching a Carbon Bank, algae-based soil amendments that build soil fertility and store carbon should be included alongside other practices applied in regenerative agriculture. 

Maintain Robust Research, Development and Commercialization Funding at the DOE

Appropriations for algae research has allowed for remarkable technology advances over the past decade, especially at the Department of Energy (DOE). This year the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is directing $40 million to advanced algae research. $21 million was dedicated by the DOE’s Fossil Energy (FE) office for non-geologic carbon utilization activities, and $10 million is being allocated for R&D into direct air capture technologies. 

ABO is in touch with Members of Congress as they plan for FY2022 appropropriations that can continue this long-standing and successful support. 

Are you ready to learn more about how algae can play a role in climate policy and economic development? Join us! ABO is a leading voice for the microalgae and macroalgae industry. We believe that robust policy support can accelerate technology and business development in a way that delivers invaluable benefits. 

And don’t forget to join hundreds of algae professionals at the 2021 Algae Biomass Summit, being held virtually September 28-October 27. We will be gathering to discuss these priorities and more with leaders from all over the world. 

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the US based non-profit trade organization for the algae industry, today announced the election of their officers for their Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 term, as well as the Board of Directors members elected for the 2021-2023 term. The group includes both new and existing (re-elected) members who will join current members of the Board of Directors. ABO’s board is comprised of representatives from multiple sectors of the industry.

ABO’s board guides the organization in its mission to promote algae, renewable and sustainable products from algae, and the development of viable commercial markets for both. ABO provides end-to-end connection for the industry, supporting people, companies, and organizations, as well as research, development, and commercial activities across the value chain.  ABO also educates the general public, policymakers and industry about the benefits of algae.

The newly elected board officers are:

• Chair: Jen Johansen (pictured)– Vice President of Quality, Regulatory & Government Affairs, Cyanotech Corporation
• Vice Chair: Martin Gross – President/Co-Founder, Gross-Wen Technologies
• Treasurer/Secretary: Thomas Byrne – Tax Manager, CarlsonSV

Newly appointed board member:

• Lulu Mauro, Sr. Regulatory Manager, Corbion

The re-elected board members are:

• Martin Gross, President/Co-Founder, Gross-Wen Technologies
• David Hazlebeck, CEO/Founder, Global Algae Innovations
• Nagatoshi Ide, Senior Technical Division Manager, Earthrise Nutritionals LLC
• Mike LaMont, Vice President of Operations, Heliae Development LLC
• Dan Levy, Vice President, AECOM
• Jaakko Nauha Head of Algae Initiative in the New Business Platform, Neste

Put yourself at the forefront of the algae industry, where algae products, services, and research meet the challenges of our planet’s most pressing issues today.

The virtual 2021 Algae Biomass Summit is the best place to make valuable connections with key decision makers and influential policy leaders within the algae industry and scientific community this fall. Our new Partnership Program is a unique opportunity for those leaders that want to engage with the algae industry on a deeper level.

Why become a Summit partner?

• Reach hard to find real world buyers in the various algae industries, food & feed, carbon capture, sustainability, wastewater, energy, education & academics, climate and more – We gather up industry leaders from around the world!
• Last year’s sponsors had a combined 115,000 sponsor impressions, leads, webpage views, 1:1 interactions and virtual meetups — Strong exposure to an influential audience.
• NOW you can deliver content from the main stage at the Algae Biomass Summit or in our engaging breakout sessions — Make your case on the industry’s biggest stage!
• Due to the additional involvement, partnership opportunities are limited and they’re filling up fast! — You don’t want to miss out!
• Partnership promotion starts soon – almost 4 months of exposure for your company to our global audience! — We really do spread the word!

Take a look at the current list of sponsors below, and sign up to join them today!