Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

Report from USDA Shows Important Role of Wisconsin in Securing Energy Independence

Contact: Joshua Morby - 414.344.1733

MILWAUKEE – A recent report issued by the United States Department of Agriculture highlights the significant role that Wisconsin and other states within the region continue to play in driving the country towards energy independence.

The USDA report, titled “Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022,” notes that “the Central East Region of the United States is one of two regions with the most potential for near and long term development of biofuels. Based on feedstock and land, infrastructure, and demand this region is key in implementing a successful biofuels market.”

Further, the report states that based on projections, 43.3% of the 20 billion gallons of advanced biofuel required by 2022 in the Energy Independence and Security Act will need to be produced in Wisconsin and the surrounding states. However, to achieve this, there must be $72 billion in cumulative investments to build 226 biorefineries with an estimated capacity of 40 million gallons per year.

“Wisconsin has always been one of our nation’s leaders in biofuel production, but this report shows that we must do more and invest more heavily in this industry,” said Joshua Morby, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance. “In order to fully secure energy independence, we must expand the production operations in Wisconsin and around the region. We are hopeful that we will continue to receive support from our leaders in Madison and from the State Legislature to expand an industry that can not only increase our energy independence, but one that also provides good, family-supporting jobs right here in our state.”

The full report from the USDA can be found online at: http://www.usda.gov/documents/USDA_Biofuels_Report_6232010.pdf.

The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is a diverse group of businesses, environmental groups and statewide and local organizations that have come together to build both public and legislative awareness of the Bio Industry in Wisconsin. For more information about the Alliance, or to find out how to join, please visit our website: http://www.wisconsinbioindustry.com.