The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

October 2, 2019 – October 28, 2021 R45943

The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and
Funding History
Updated October 28, 2021
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R45943

The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

Summary
Title IX, the energy title, of the 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-
334) contains authority for the energy programs administered by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA). USDA energy programs incentivize research, development, and adoption of
renewable energy projects, including, for example, solar, wind, and anaerobic digesters. However,
the primary focus of USDA energy programs has been to promote U.S. biofuels production and
use—including corn starch-based ethanol (the predominant biofuel produced and consumed in the
United States), cellulosic biofuels, and soybean-based biodiesel. The USDA energy programs via
the farm bill are different from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and tax incentives contained
in separate energy and tax legislation.
Four farm bills have contained an energy title: 2002, 2008, 2014, and 2018. For all four farm
bills, the majority of the energy programs expire with generally a five-year authorization and lack
baseline funding to facilitate reauthorization. Many of the energy title programs are authorized to
receive both mandatory and discretionary funding. Historically, mandatory funding has been the
primary support for these programs, as appropriators have not provided funding for most of the
discretionary authorizations. The energy programs that have received discretionary authorizations
are the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Rural Energy Savings Program, the
Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program, and the Sun Grant Program.
The 2018 farm bill extended most of the energy provisions of the 2014 farm bill with new
funding authority. There are two exceptions, as the 2018 farm bill repealed both the Repowering
Assistance Program and the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative. Additionally, the 2018 farm
bill established one new program—the Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program.
The 2018 farm bill contains initiatives that address noncorn feedstocks (e.g., cellulosic
feedstocks). Such initiatives include the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which pays
producers for production of eligible advanced biofuels; the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical,
and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (formerly the Biorefinery Assistance
Program), which assists in the development of new and emerging technologies for advanced
biofuels; and REAP, which has funded a variety of renewable energy and energy-efficiency
projects.
Over the five-year reauthorization period (FY2019-FY2023), the 2018 farm bill contains a total
of $375 million in new mandatory funding and authorizes discretionary funding (i.e., subject to
annual appropriations) of $1.7 billion for the various farm bill energy programs. This
discretionary total includes discretionary authorizations for the Sun Grant Program and the Rural
Energy Savings Program. The mandatory funding provided for the energy programs under the
2018 farm bill is approximately 46% less than what was provided in the 2014 farm bill, which
had authorized $694 million in mandatory funding over the five-year period of FY2014-FY2018.
Conversely, the 2018 farm bill provides discretionary authorizations that are approximately 13%
more than what was provided in the 2014 farm bill ($1.5 billion) for the energy programs
(although, as noted above, farm bill energy programs generally have not received discretionary
appropriations).
At issue for Congress is oversight of the energy programs and the future funding for these
programs. This report provides an overview and funding summary of the various energy titles
contained in the farm bills from 2002 to the present, and provides a description of the 2018 farm
bill energy programs including their funding levels, program implementation status, and any
changes made to the programs by the 2018 farm bill.
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Appendixes
Appendix. Supplementary Tables .................................................................................................. 19

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 26

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Introduction
Agriculture-based renewable energy can take several forms, including biofuels such as corn-
based ethanol or soy-based biodiesel, wind-driven turbines located on farmland or in rural areas,
anaerobic digesters that convert animal waste into methane and electric power, or biomass
harvested for burning as a processing fuel or to generate heat as part of an industrial activity.
Since the late 1970s, U.S. policymakers at both the federal and state levels have adopted a variety
of incentives, regulations, and programs to encourage the production and use of agriculture-based
renewable energy (mostly biofuels).1 Congress has authorized several support programs through
various legislative vehicles, including the farm bills. The 2002 farm bill was the first farm bill to
contain an energy title. Since then, subsequent farm bills have retained the energy title with
varying funding levels.
Title IX of the 2018 farm bill continues long-standing congressional support for the production of
renewable energy from agriculturally sourced materials. This report focuses on those policies
contained in the 2018 farm bill that support agriculture-based renewable energy. The introductory
sections of this report briefly describe how U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bioenergy
policies evolved and how they fit into the larger context of U.S. biofuels policy. Then, each of the
bioenergy provisions of the 2018 farm bill are defined in terms of their function, goals,
administration, funding, and implementation status.
In an appendix at the end of this report, Table A-1 presents data on 2018 farm bill budgetary
authority for energy provisions, while Table A-2, Table A-3, a nd Table A-4 present the original
budget authority for Title IX programs under the previous 2014 farm bill, the 2008 farm bill, and
the 2002 farm bill, respectively.2
Overview and History
Many of the agriculture-based renewable energy support programs originate in legislation outside
of the farm bill. For instance, the Energy Tax Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-618) provided an exemption
for ethanol from the excise tax on motor fuels.3 An executive order was issued in 1999 to
“stimulate the creation and early adoption of technologies needed to make biobased products and
bioenergy cost-competitive in large national and international markets.”4 The Biomass Research
and Development Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-224) directed USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) to cooperate and coordinate research and development activities for biobased industrial
products, including biofuels. In FY2001, the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)5

1 For a list of federal incentives in support of biofuels production, see CRS Report R42566, Alternative Fuel and
Advanced Vehicle Technology Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs, by Lynn J. Cunningham et al.
2 For a side-by-side comparison of Title IX energy-related provisions for current versus previous law, see CRS Report
R45525, The 2018 Farm Bill (P.L. 115-334): Summary and Side-by-Side Comparison, coordinated by Mark A.
McMinimy.
3 The two most widely used biofuels—ethanol produced primarily from corn starch and biodiesel produced primarily
from soybean oil—have received significant federal support in the form of tax incentives, loans and grants, and
regulatory programs. For more information, see CRS Report R41282, Agriculture-Based Biofuels: Overview and
Emerging Issues, by Mark A. McMinimy.
4 Executive Order 13134, “Developing and Promoting Biobased Products and Bioenergy,” 3 C.F.R. §13134.
5 The CCC is a U.S. government-owned and -operated corporation, created in 1933 with broad powers to support farm
income and prices and to assist in the export of U.S. agricultural products. Toward this end, the CCC finances USDA’s
domestic farm commodity price and income support programs and certain export programs using its permanent
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The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

began making payments from the Bioenergy Program to eligible producers of ethanol and
biodiesel based on year-to-year production increases in these fuels.6
Several agriculture-based renewable energy support programs have been established in farm bill
legislation. The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) authorized several new biofuel programs and added
an energy title, Title IX. The 2008 farm bill (P.L. 110-246) subsequently extended and expanded
the programs promoting renewable energy, emphasizing particularly those utilizing biomass
feedstock. The 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79) extended the programs through FY2018. The 2018
farm bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-334), continues federal support for
the programs through FY2023. Motivations cited for these legislative initiatives include energy
security concerns, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and raising
domestic demand for U.S.-produced farm products.7
Congress has enacted temporary tax incentives for biofuels, specifically tax credits for biodiesel
and second generation (formerly cellulosic) biofuel. These are temporary tax incentives, but they
have been extended numerous times. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L.
116-94) retroactively extended the tax incentive for biodiesel and renewable diesel of
$1.00/gallon through the end of 2022. The five-year extension of the biodiesel tax incentives
included in P.L. 116-94 is expected to reduce federal tax revenue by an estimated $15.2 billion.8
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) extended the $1.01/gallon tax credit
for second generation biofuel producers through the end of 2021.9 This one-year extension of the
second generation biofuel producer credit is expected to reduce federal tax revenue by an
estimated $16 million.10 In addition to these tax incentives, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
mandates a minimum level of renewable fuel usage.11
Non-USDA/Non-Farm Bill Programs and Authorizations
Renewable energy production plays a key role not just in agricultural policy, but also in energy,
tax, and environmental policy. As a result, many of the federal programs that support renewable
energy production in general, and agriculture-based renewable energy production in particular,
are outside the purview of USDA and have origins outside of omnibus farm bill legislation. For
example, the three principal federal biofuels policies of the past few decades were all established
outside of farm bills:

authority to borrow up to $30 billion at any one time from the U.S. Treasury. For more information about the CCC, see
CRS Report R44606, The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), by Megan Stubbs.
6 U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, “Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Announces Bioenergy
Program Sign Up,” press release, November 20, 2000, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/
bioenergy_release_1654.pdf.
7 “Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, vol. 164 (June 28, 2018), p.
S4699; “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013,” remarks in the Senate, Congressional Record, May 22,
2013, p. S3747; “Providing for further consideration of H.R. 1947, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management
Act of 2013,” House debate, Congressional Record, June 19, 2013, p. H3776.
8 Joint Committee on Taxation, “Estimated Budget Effects of the Revenue Provisions Contained in the House
Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020,” JCX-54-
19R, December 17, 2019, https://www.jct.gov/publications/2019/jcx-54r-19.
9 For more information on renewable fuel tax incentives, see CRS Report R46865, Energy Tax Provisions: Overview
and Budgetary Cost, by Molly F. Sherlock.
10 https://www.jct.gov/publications/2020/jcx-24-20/
11 For more information on the RFS, see CRS Report R43325, The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview, by
Kelsi Bracmort.
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The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

 The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates an increasing volume of biofuels
use. More specifically, the volume required is divided into four distinct, but
nested biofuel categories—total, advanced, cellulosic, and biomass-based
diesel—each with its own mandated volume.12 The RFS was established in the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) and expanded in the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA; P.L. 110-140).
 The Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), originally established in the
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-357), provided a tax credit that
varied in value over the years. It was $0.45 per gallon of pure ethanol blended
with gasoline when it expired on December 31, 2011.13
 The ethanol import tariff was intended to offset the ethanol tax incentives and
was originally established by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-
499). The ethanol import tariff also expired on December 31, 2011.
In addition to the RFS, VEETC, and the ethanol import tariff, several other tax credits that
originated outside of farm bills were available for biodiesel production as well as for small
producers (less than 60 million gallons per year per plant) of ethanol and biodiesel.14 A substantial
number of federal programs also support renewable energy sources other than biofuels.15 In
addition to federal programs, many states offer additional support to biofuels producers, blenders,
and consumers.16
An awareness of the non-USDA federal programs is important for appreciating the role
envisioned for the energy title of both the 2018 farm bill and previous farm bills. The farm bill
programs were designed to provide incentives for the research and development of new
agriculture-based renewable fuels, especially second-generation biofuels (those based on non-
food crop biomass such as cellulose and algae), and to expand their distribution and use. A
summary of the evolution of these programs follows.
2002 Farm Bill—First Energy Title
The 2002 farm bill (Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; P.L. 107-171) was the first
omnibus farm bill to explicitly include an energy title (Title IX). The energy title authorized
grants, loans, and loan guarantees to foster research on agriculture-based renewable energy, to
share development risk and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems.17 Since
enactment of the 2002 farm bill, interest in renewable energy has grown rapidly, due in large part
to periods of steep increases in domestic and international petroleum prices and a dramatic
acceleration in domestic biofuels production (primarily corn-based ethanol).

12 See CRS Report R43325, The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview, by Kelsi Bracmort.
13 For more information, see CRS Report R41282, Agriculture-Based Biofuels: Overview and Emerging Issues, by
Mark A. McMinimy.
14 For more information, see U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal Laws and Incentives,
2021.
15 For a listing of federal programs that support all types of renewable energy, see CRS Report R40913, Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Incentives: A Summary of Federal Programs, by Lynn J. Cunningham.
16 For information on state programs, see “Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE),” at
http://www.dsireusa.org/.
17 For an overview of the energy provisions in the 2002 farm bill’s energy title, see CRS Report RL33037, Previewing
a 2007 Farm Bill, coordinated by Jasper Womach.
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2008 Farm Bill—Refocus on Non-Corn-Based Biofuels
Annual U.S. ethanol production expanded rapidly between 2002 and 2007, rising from
approximately 2 billion gallons to over 6.5 billion gallons during that period.18 Similarly, corn use
for ethanol grew from an 11% share of the U.S. corn crop in 2002 to an estimated 23% share of
the 2007 corn crop.19 During the 2008 farm bill debate, government and industry projections had
ethanol’s corn-use share rising rapidly, sparking concerns about unintended consequences of the
policy-driven expansion of U.S. corn ethanol production.20 Dedicating an increasing share of the
U.S. corn harvest to ethanol production evoked fears of higher prices for all grains and oilseeds
that compete for the same land, which could lead to higher livestock feed costs, higher food
prices, and lower U.S. agricultural exports.21 In addition, several environmental concerns emerged
regarding water impacts, and the expansion of corn production onto nontraditional lands,
including native grass and prairie land, among other things.22 In response, policymakers sought to
refocus biofuels policy initiatives in the 2008 farm bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008; P.L. 110-246) in favor of non-corn starch feedstock, especially cellulosic-based
feedstock, by introducing a number of programs aimed at facilitating the production and use of
bioenergy from nonfood feedstock.
The 2008 farm bill became law six months after the enactment of the EISA. A key component of
EISA was a significant expansion of the RFS, which in part mandates the increasing use of
“advanced biofuels” (i.e., non-corn starch biofuels), whose minimum annual use was scheduled to
increase from 0.6 billion gallons in 2009 to 21 billion gallons by 2022.23 The energy provisions of
the 2008 farm bill were intended to reinforce EISA’s program goals via a further refocusing of
federal incentives toward non-corn-based sources of renewable energy. The statutory advanced
biofuel goals for the RFS have not been met.24

18 For a discussion of the rapid growth of the U.S. biofuels sector, see CRS Report R41282, Agriculture-Based
Biofuels: Overview and Emerging Issues, by Mark A. McMinimy. For recent data regarding fuel ethanol production,
see Table 10.3 Fuel Ethanol Overview in the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review,
September 2021.
19 U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. Corn Production and Portion Used for Fuel
Ethanol, August 2021, https://afdc.energy.gov/data/10339.
20 U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Agricultural Projections to 2016, Long-term Projections Report OCE-2007-
1, February 2007; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Feed Grains Backgrounder, FDS-07c-01, March 2007.
21 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Biofuels Impact on Food Prices, 110th Cong.,
2nd sess., June 12, 2008, S. Hrg. 110-529; Congressional Budget Office, The Impact of Ethanol Use on Food Prices and
Greenhouse-Gas Emissions, April 2009; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ethanol Expansion in the United States: How
Will the Agricultural Sector Adjust?, FDS-07D-01, May 2007; The World Bank, Biofuels: The Promise and the Risks,
Report Number 41382, 2008.
22 National Research Council of the National Academies, Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United
States, 2008; Ecological Society of America, ESA Biofuel Policy, January 2008, https://www.esa.org/biofuels/esa-
biofuel-policy/; T. Searchinger, R. Heimlich, and R.A. Houghton, et al., “Use of U.S. Croplands for Biofuels Increases
Greenhouse Gases Through Emissions from Land-Use Change,” Science Magazine, vol. 319 (February 29, 2008).
23 42 U.S.C. §7545(o).
24 EPA has waived the statutory volume requirements for both the advanced biofuel component and cellulosic biofuel
component of the RFS when certain conditions outlined in statute have prevailed. In short, these requirements have
proven unattainable thus far due to several factors including technology setbacks and lack of private investment. For
more information, see CRS Report R44045, The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Waiver Authority and Modification
of Volumes, by Kelsi Bracmort.
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2014 Farm Bill—Extends Most Programs with New Funding
Funding for the majority of the energy programs from the 2008 farm bill expired at the end of
FY2012 and lacked baseline funding going forward.25 The 2014 farm bill (Agricultural Act of
2014; P.L. 113-79) extended most of the renewable energy provisions of the 2008 farm bill and
provided new mandatory funding, with some notable exceptions. Again, most of the 2014 farm
bill energy programs lacked a mandatory funding baseline going forward beyond FY2018.26
The 2014 farm bill included some key changes to select programs including Section 9007, the
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which precludes the use of REAP funding for any
mechanism for dispensing energy at the retail level (e.g., ethanol-gasoline blender pumps). The
2014 farm bill repealed one program and two studies—the Forest Biomass for Energy Program;
the Biofuels Infrastructure Study; and the Renewable Fertilizer Study. Additionally, the 2014 farm
bill did not address the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative of the 2008 farm bill.
2018 Farm Bill—Less Mandatory Funding
The 2018 farm bill (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; P.L. 115-334) extends most of the
2014 farm bill energy title programs through FY2023 and provides new mandatory funding. It
establishes one new program—the Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program. It repeals
one program and one initiative—the Repowering Assistance Program and the Rural Energy Self-
Sufficiency Initiative.
A key point of the 2018 farm bill is that it provides less mandatory funding than previous farm
bills for energy title programs. For instance, the 2018 farm bill energy title programs’ cumulative
mandatory funding level for FY2019-FY2023 ($375 million) is approximately 46% less than the
cumulative mandatory funding for FY2014-FY2018 provided in the 2014 farm bill ($694
million). On the other hand, the cumulative total discretionary authorizations provided by the
2018 farm bill ($1.7 billion) are approximately 13% more than what was authorized in the 2014
farm bill ($1.5 billion) for the energy programs. However, most energy title programs have not
received discretionary appropriations under appropriation acts.
The 2018 farm bill energy title programs are described in more detail in the section below entitled
“Major Energy Provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill.”
Funding for Agriculture-Based Energy Programs
In general, two types of funding are authorized by Congress in a farm bill—mandatory and
discretionary. Some farm bill programs receiving mandatory funds are automatically funded at
levels “authorized” in the farm bill unless Congress limits funding to a lower amount through the
appropriations or legislative process.27 For many of these programs, mandatory funding is

25 A baseline essentially gives programs built-in future funding if policymakers decide that the programs should
continue, or, if not, the baseline can be reallocated to other programs or used as an offset for deficit reduction. For more
information on baseline funding, see CRS In Focus IF10780, Farm Bill Primer: Programs Without Baseline Beyond
FY2018, by Jim Monke.
26 For more information, see CRS Report R44758, Farm Bill Programs Without a Budget Baseline Beyond FY2018, by
Jim Monke.
27 Mandatory funding remains subject to sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25). Mandatory
funding may also be reduced by appropriation acts via Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS). For more
information on mandatory versus discretionary authorizations, CHIMPS, and sequestration, see CRS Report R46437,
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provided through the borrowing authority of USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). The
farm bill may also specify some discretionary funding as “authorized to be appropriated”—such
discretionary funding is actually determined each year through the annual appropriations process
and may or may not reflect the funding level suggested in the authorizing legislation.
Funding Under the 2002 Farm Bill
The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) provided cumulative mandatory funding of $801 million and
identified cumulative discretionary authorizations of $294 million for the farm bill energy
programs for FY2002-FY2007 (Table A-4).28 The Section 9010 Continuation of the Bioenergy
Program (7 U.S.C. §8108) received approximately 75% of the mandatory appropriations. The
Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program (7
U.S.C. §8106)—which became a part of REAP when it was created in the 2008 farm bill—
received approximately 15% of the mandatory appropriations. The entirety of the $294 million in
discretionary authorizations went to Section 9008 Biomass Research and Development (26
U.S.C. §7624).
Funding Under the 2008 Farm Bill
The 2008 farm bill authorized slightly over $1.0 billion in cumulative mandatory funding and
nearly $1.5 billion in cumulative discretionary appropriations to Title IX energy programs for
FY2008-FY2012 (Table A-3). Mandatory authorizations included $320 million for the
Biorefinery Assistance Program, $300 million for the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels,
and $255 million for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The Biomass Crop
Assistance Program (BCAP) was authorized to receive such sums as necessary (i.e., funding is
open-ended and depends on program participation); however, limits were later set on BCAP
outlays under the annual appropriations process beginning in FY2010.29 The $1.5 billion of
discretionary funding authorization included $600 million for the Biorefinery Assistance
Program, and $100 million for both the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels and REAP.
However, actual discretionary appropriations through FY2012 to all Title IX energy programs
were substantially below authorized levels.
Regarding mandatory funding, all of the bioenergy provisions of Title IX that were provided with
mandatory funding—with the exception of Section 9010, the Feedstock Flexibility Program for
Bioenergy Producers, which is authorized indefinitely—had mandatory funding only for the life
of the 2008 farm bill, FY2008 through FY2012. As a result, all of the bioenergy provisions in
Title IX of the 2008 farm bill, with the exception of the Feedstock Flexibility Program for
Bioenergy Producers (§9010), expired on September 30, 2012.30
Funding Under Continuing Resolutions for FY2013
The 112th Congress did not complete action on any of the regular FY2013 appropriations bills
during 2012. Instead, a continuing resolution (CR) for the first half of FY2013 (P.L. 112-175) was

Agriculture and Related Agencies: FY2021 Appropriations, by Jim Monke.
28 Discretionary authorizations for four programs in the farm bill were not specified. Rather, the programs were
authorized to be appropriated “such sums as may be necessary” (SSAN).
29 See CRS Report R41296, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP): Status and Issues, by Mark A. McMinimy.
30 For more information, see CRS Report R42442, Expiration and Extension of the 2008 Farm Bill, by Jim Monke,
Randy Alison Aussenberg, and Megan Stubbs.
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signed into law on September 28, 2012.31 This was followed by a second CR to provide
appropriations for the second half of FY2013 (P.L. 113-6).32 The Rural Energy for America
Program was the sole Title IX bioenergy program that received an appropriation of discretionary
funds ($3.4 million) in FY2013.33
Funding Under ATRA—The 2008 Farm Bill Extension
Many of the 2008 farm bill programs were extended through September 30, 2013, by Section 701
of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA; P.L. 112-240) signed into law by President
Obama on January 2, 2013. Under ATRA, discretionary funding was authorized to be
appropriated at the rate that programs were funded under the 2008 farm bill.
Funding Under the 2014 Farm Bill
The five-year reauthorization period (FY2014-FY2018) of the 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79)
contained a total of $694 million in new mandatory funding and authorized $1.5 billion to be
appropriated for the various farm bill renewable energy programs (Table A-2). During the term of
the 2014 farm bill, Congress used Changes in Mandatory Program Spending (CHIMPS) in annual
appropriations bills to lower the amount of mandatory funding available to four of these programs
(i.e., the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program, the Bioenergy
Program for Advanced Biofuels, and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program) and did not
appropriate discretionary funding for most of these programs. Programs that received an
appropriation of discretionary funding include the Rural Energy for America Program and the
Rural Energy Savings Program. Among the mandatory funding provided, REAP received
permanent baseline funding ($50 million in FY2014 and thereafter), making it the first farm bill
energy program to not face funding challenges for reauthorization.
Funding Under the 2018 Farm Bill
The 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334) reauthorizes the energy title programs for a five-year term,
FY2019-FY2023. It contains $375 million in new mandatory funding and authorizes to be
appropriated $1.7 billion (Table A-1). Of the four farm bills since 2002, the 2018 farm bill gives
the least amount of mandatory funding for energy title programs. The amount of discretionary
authorization is comparable to what was provided in the 2014 farm bill. In short, under the 2018
farm bill, Congress has reduced the number of energy programs that receive mandatory funding,
and reduced the amount of mandatory funding, while keeping both the number of discretionary
programs and the discretionary funding similar to levels found in the 2014 farm bill. Further,
some programs that received mandatory funding under the 2014 farm bill are now authorized to
receive only discretionary funding under the 2018 farm bill (i.e., the Biodiesel Fuel Education
Program, the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, and the Biomass Crop Assistance
Program). Details of the funding levels provided in the 2018 farm bill—and the 2014, 2008, and
2002 farm bills—are provided in the discussion of individual provisions below and are
summarized in the appendix tables.

31 See out-of-print CRS Report R42782, FY2013 Continuing Resolutions: Analysis of Components and Congressional
Action, available upon request for congressional staff from the author.
32 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013, P.L. 113-6, March 26, 2013.
33 Ibid.
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Major Energy Provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill
Like the three preceding farm bills, the 2018 farm bill (P.L. 115-334) contained a distinct energy
title (Title IX) that extends many of the previous bioenergy programs.34 What follows is a
summary of the bioenergy-related authorities found in the 2018 farm bill, including (where
applicable) a brief description of each program, 2018 farm bill funding levels, and the status of
program implementation, including any noteworthy legislative changes.35 This section provides a
description for all sections listed under 7 U.S.C. Ch. 107 Renewable Energy Research and
Development, in order, which includes those sections that were enacted under other titles of the
2018 farm bill.36
7 U.S.C. §8101: Definitions
The 2018 farm bill made three substantive modifications to bioenergy-related definitions as
follows:
1. “biobased product”—similar to prior law except it expands the term to include
renewable chemicals;
2. “biorefinery”—expands the term to include the conversion of renewable
biomass or an intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass into
biofuels, renewable chemicals, or biobased products; and
3. “renewable energy system”—expands the term to include a system that
produces useable energy from a renewable source, including the distribution
components necessary to move energy produced by the system to the initial point
of sale, and other components and ancillary infrastructure such as a storage
system, but not any mechanism for dispensing energy at retail (e.g., a blender
pump).
The first two modifications were designed to expand access to federal support for renewable
chemicals and intermediate ingredients or feedstocks of renewable biomass, respectively. The last
modification was designed to expand access to federal support for ancillary infrastructure (e.g.,
storage system) associated with a renewable energy system.
7 U.S.C. §8102: Biobased Markets Program
Administered by: Rural Development (RD), USDA.37

34 For a side-by-side comparison of previous law with the energy provisions of the 2018 farm bill, see CRS Report
R45525, The 2018 Farm Bill (P.L. 115-334): Summary and Side-by-Side Comparison, coordinated by Mark A.
McMinimy.
35 For authorized funding levels in the 2014 farm bill, the 2008 farm bill, and the 2002 farm bill, see Table A-2, Table
A-3, and Table A-4. For FY2021 authorized and appropriated funding levels, see CRS In Focus IF10288, Overview of
the 2018 Farm Bill Energy Title Programs, by Kelsi Bracmort.
36 7 U.S.C. §8107a Rural Energy Savings Program may be found under the rural development title of the 2018 farm bill
as Sec. 6303. Both 7 U.S.C. §8108 Biomass Research and Development and 7 U.S.C. §8114 Sun Grant Program may
be found under the research title of the 2018 farm bill as Sec. 7507 and Sec. 7414, respectively.
37 The official USDA biobased markets program website is at http://www.biopreferred.gov/. 7 U.S.C. §8102(m)
requires the Secretary to act through the rural development mission area when carrying out this section, and to
coordinate with the Forest Products Laboratory when providing assistance for forest products.
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Program Overview: The Biobased Markets Program was originally established under the 2002
farm bill as a federal procurement preference program that required federal agencies to purchase
biobased products under certain conditions. The 2008 farm bill renamed the federal biobased
procurements preference program as the Biobased Markets Program. USDA refers to the program
as the BioPreferred® Program. The BioPreferred® Program promotes biobased products through
two initiatives: (1) a mandatory purchasing requirement for federal agencies and their contractors
and (2) a voluntary labeling initiative for biobased products. Products that meet the minimum
biobased content criteria may display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label.38
Under the Biobased Markets Program, federal agencies and their contractors are generally
required to purchase biobased products from 139 categories of goods—among which are
cleaners, carpets, lubricants, office supplies, and paints—when the purchase price of the item
exceeds $10,000 or when the quantity of such items or of functionally equivalent items purchased
during the preceding fiscal year was $10,000 or more.39
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the Biobased Markets Program through
FY2023, while adding some new implementation requirements. It requires the Secretary of
Agriculture to update the eligibility criteria for determining which renewable chemicals will
qualify for a “USDA Certified Biobased Product” label. The farm bill requires the Secretary and
the Secretary of Commerce to develop North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
codes for both renewable chemical manufacturers and biobased product manufacturers, and for
the Secretary to establish a national registry of testing centers for biobased products. The bill also
requires USDA to establish an expedited approval process for products to be determined eligible
for the procurement program and to receive a biobased product label. The farm bill prohibits a
procuring agency from establishing procurement guidelines for biobased products that are more
restrictive than what the Secretary has established.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill authorizes mandatory CCC funding of $3 million for each of
FY2019-FY2023 for biobased products testing and labeling. Discretionary funding of $3 million
is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8103: Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased
Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: Originally called the Biorefinery Assistance Program (BAP) as authorized
in the 2008 farm bill, this program assists in the development of new and emerging technologies
for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing.40 Loan
guarantees are available for the development, construction and/or retrofitting of commercial-scale
biorefineries using eligible technology and for biobased product manufacturing facilities that
meet certain criteria. A loan guarantee may not exceed $250 million and may not exceed 80% of
the project costs. With no appropriation of discretionary funds for BAP during the life of the 2008

38 For policies and laws, see http://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/PoliciesAndLaws.xhtml.
39 Program regulations and guidance provided in Title 7 CFR part 3201—Guidelines for Designating Biobased
Products for Federal Procurement and Title 7 CFR Part 3202 Voluntary Labeling Program for Biobased Products. For
a list of product categories, see https://www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/pages/ProductCategories.xhtml.
40 For more program information, see the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing
Assistance Program website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/biorefinery-renewable-chemical-and-
biobased-product-manufacturing-assistance.
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farm bill, Congress permitted USDA to move forward with only the loan guarantee portion of
BAP in the 2014 farm bill. Rural Development administers the program under 7 C.F.R. §4279,
Subpart C, and 7 C.F.R. §4287, Subpart D. For loan guarantees, project lenders (not prospective
borrowers) must submit the application.41
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. It
expands the definition of eligible technology to include technologies that produce one or more of
the following, or a combination thereof: an advanced biofuel, a renewable chemical, or a
biobased product.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill authorizes mandatory CCC funding of $50 million for FY2019 and
$25 million for FY2020 for the cost of loan guarantees. Discretionary funding of $75 million is
authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8104: Repowering Assistance Program (RAP) (Repealed)
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: The Repowering Assistance Program (RAP) was originally established
under the 2008 farm bill to encourage biorefineries to replace fossil fuels used to produce heat or
power. RAP made payments to eligible biorefineries with the payment amount based on certain
criteria (e.g., the quantity of fossil fuels a renewable biomass system is replacing).42
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill repealed the Repowering Assistance Program.
7 U.S.C. §8105: Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: Originally created by a 1999 executive order during the Clinton
Administration, the bioenergy program provided mandatory CCC incentive payments to biofuels
producers based on year-to-year increases in the quantity of biofuel produced.43 The 2008 farm
bill established a new Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels to support and expand
production of advanced biofuels—that is, fuel derived from renewable biomass other than corn
kernel starch—under which USDA would enter into contracts with advanced biofuel producers to
pay them for production of eligible advanced biofuels.44 The policy goal is to create long-term,
sustained increases in advanced biofuels production. Payments are to be based on the quantity
and duration of advanced biofuel production, among other factors. Not more than 5% of the funds
in any year can go to facilities with total refining capacity exceeding 150 million gallons per year.
Rural Development administers the program under 7 C.F.R. §4288, Subpart B. USDA refers to
the program as the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program.

41 More information on the application process is available in the USDA Section 9003 Application Guide for Loan
Guarantee at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RBS_Section9003Biorefinery_ApplicationGuide.pdf.
42 For more information, see U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service, “Notice of
Solicitation of Applications for the Repowering Assistance Program,” 83 Federal Register 17522-17524, April 20,
2018.
43 Executive Order 13134 of August 12, 1999, “Developing and Promoting Biobased Products and Bioenergy,” 3
C.F.R. §13134; U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Bioenergy Program,” 65 Federal Register 67609, November 13,
2000.
44 For more program information, see the “Advanced Biofuel Payment Program,” RD, USDA at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/advanced-biofuel-payment-program.
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Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. It
modifies the equitable distribution portion of the program by limiting the amount of payments for
advanced biofuel produced from a single eligible commodity to not exceed one-third of the total
program funding available in a fiscal year.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill authorizes mandatory CCC funding of $7 million for each of
FY2019-FY2023. Discretionary funding of $20 million is authorized to be appropriated for each
of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8106: Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
Administered by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Office of Energy Policy
and New Uses (OEPNU), USDA.
Program Overview: Originally established under the 2002 farm bill, the Biodiesel Fuel
Education Program was extended by the 2008, 2014, and 2018 farm bills. The Biodiesel Fuel
Education Program awards competitive grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of
higher education that educate governmental and private entities (that operate vehicle fleets), other
interested entities, and the public about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use. USDA administers the
program under 7 C.F.R. §2903.45 The program is implemented by USDA through continuation
grants.46
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
through FY2023 without changes to program implementation.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $2 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8107: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: The 2008 farm bill combined elements of two existing programs from the
2002 farm bill—the Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Program and the
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program—into a single
program renamed the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).47 REAP provides financial
assistance to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy development for agricultural
producers and rural small businesses. More specifically, REAP issues competitive grants to
eligible entities (e.g., state governments and land-grant colleges) to assist agricultural producers
and rural small businesses with becoming more energy efficient and to use renewable energy
technologies and resources. REAP also issues loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers
and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems (RES) and to make energy
efficiency improvements, as well as loan guarantees to agricultural producers for the purchase

45 The final rule for the program was published on September 30, 2003 (68 Federal Register 56137).
46 USDA reports that a new continuation grant is an award for a successful project application that has not been
previously submitted, and by which the Department agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined
project period with a statement of intention to provide additional support at a future date, contingent upon the
availability of appropriated funds and the satisfactory progress of this project, and the determination that continued
support would be in the best interest of the federal government and the public. U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program, Fiscal Year 2014 Request for Applications, June 27, 2014.
47 For more information, see the REAP program pages at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-
america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency and https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-
energy-america-program-energy-audit-renewable-energy-development-assistance.
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and installation of select energy efficiency equipment. REAP operates under regulations
published under 7 C.F.R. §4280, subpart B and 7 C.F.R. §5001, subpart A.
There are limitations, selection criteria, cost-sharing requirements, and award considerations
associated with the financial assistance provided by REAP. For example, competitive grants used
for an energy audit require the agricultural producer or rural small business to pay a minimum of
25% of the cost of the energy audit. Additionally, the maximum amount for a loan guarantee to
purchase an RES or make energy efficiency improvements is $25 million. Renewable energy
systems include those systems that produce useable energy from a renewable energy source (but
excludes any mechanism for dispensing energy at retail—e.g., a blender pump).
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. It amends
the financial assistance for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy systems
section to include certain limitations for loan guarantees to purchase and install energy-efficient
equipment or agricultural production or processing systems. Additionally, it limits funds for loan
guarantees to agricultural producers for certain energy-efficient equipment and agricultural
production systems to not exceed 15% of the annual funding provided to the program.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill retained mandatory CCC funding of $50 million for FY2014 and
each fiscal year thereafter (thus, unlike other farm bill renewable energy programs, REAP’s
mandatory funding authority does not expire with the 2018 farm bill). Mandatory funds are to
remain available until expended. Discretionary funding is authorized to be appropriated at $20
million annually for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8107a: Rural Energy Savings Program
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) provides loans to qualified
consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy-efficiency measures.48 The program was
established in the 2014 farm bill. Loans are to be made to eligible entities that agree to use the
loan funds to make loans to qualified consumers that will use the funds to implement energy
efficiency measures. Eligible entities include public power districts and public utility districts,
among other entities. A qualified consumer is a consumer served by an eligible entity with the
ability to repay the loan. Loans to eligible entities are offered with no interest; loans to qualified
consumers may not exceed an interest rate of 5%. The term for the loan may not exceed 20 years
from the loan’s closing date. The program operates under regulations published under 7 C.F.R.
§1719.
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. It
modifies the definition of energy-efficiency measures to include cost-effective on- or off-grid
renewable energy or energy storage systems. It amends the program such that the debt incurred
by a borrower under this program may not be included when determining the borrower’s
eligibility for loans under programs authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. It
requires the Secretary to streamline the accounting requirements on borrowers. It amends the
loans to qualified consumer provision such that loans from eligible entities to qualified consumers
may bear interest, not to exceed 5%. Additionally, it requires the Secretary to publish an annual
report containing the number of program applications received, the number of loans made to
eligible entities, and the recipients of the loans.

48 For more information, see the RESP website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/electric-programs/rural-
energy-savings-program.
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Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $75 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8108: Biomass Research and Development
Administered by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA, and DOE, jointly.
Program Overview: The Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI)—created
originally under the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (BRDA; P.L. 106-224)—
seeks to develop technologies and processes necessary for the abundant commercial production of
biofuels, as well as high-value biobased products and sustainable domestic sources of renewable
biomass for conversion to biofuels, bioenergy, and biobased products. To this end, the program
provides competitive funding in the form of grants, contracts, and financial assistance for
research, development, and demonstration of biofuels and biobased products. Eligibility is limited
to institutions of higher learning, national laboratories, federal or state research agencies, private-
sector entities, and nonprofit organizations.
Since 2002 USDA and DOE jointly have announced annual solicitations and awards of funding
allocations under BRDI.49 Pursuant to the 2008 farm bill, applicants seeking BRDI funding must
propose projects that address one of the following three technical areas: feedstocks development,
biofuels and biobased products development, and biofuels development analysis. A minimum of
15% of funding must go to each of the three technical areas.50 The minimum nonfederal cost-
share requirement for demonstration and commercial projects is 50%. In general, the minimum
nonfederal cost-share requirement for research or development projects is 20%.
Additionally 7 U.S.C. §8108 establishes a Biomass Research and Development Board to, in part,
coordinate research and development of activities relating to biofuels and biobased products
between USDA and DOE. 7 U.S.C. §8108 also creates a Biomass Research and Development
Technical Advisory Committee to advise the Board, among other things.51
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. It amends
the definition of biobased product to include carbon dioxide, and it requires the initiative’s
technical advisory committee to include an individual with expertise in carbon capture,
utilization, and sequestration. Further, it expands the objectives of the initiative to include the
development of high-value biobased products that permanently sequester or utilize carbon
dioxide. It also expands the technical areas of the initiative to include the biofuels and biobased
products development of technologies that permanently sequester or utilize carbon dioxide.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $20 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.

49 For BRDI current and historical (FY2003-FY2015) solicitations and awards, visit https://biomassboard.gov/
solicitations U.S. Department of Agriculture, “2016 Biomass Research and Development Initiative Awards,” press
release, May 9, 2016, https://nifa.usda.gov/2016-biomass-research-and-development-initiative-awards, and U.S.
Department of Energy, “Departments of Agriculture and Energy Announce Up to $9 Million through the Interagency
Biomass Research and Development Initiative,” press release, June 5, 2017, https://www.energy.gov/articles/
departments-agriculture-and-energy-announce-9-million-through-interagency-biomass-research.
50 For details on BRDI technical areas, see https://biomassboard.gov/brd-initiative.
51 For more information on the Biomass Research and Development Board, the Technical Advisory Committee, and
project selection, visit https://biomassboard.gov/.
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7 U.S.C. §8109: Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative (Repealed)
Administered by: RD, USDA.
Program Overview: The 2008 farm bill authorized the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative
to provide financial assistance to enable rural communities to substantially increase their energy
self-sufficiency. Grants were to be used by rural communities to conduct an energy assessment, to
formulate and analyze ideas for reducing energy usage from conventional sources, and to develop
and install integrated renewable energy systems. Grants were not to exceed 50% of the total cost
of the activity. No funding was ever appropriated, and regulations were never announced for this
program. No provision was included in the 2014 farm bill for the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency
Initiative, with the result that program funding authority expired after FY2013.
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill repealed the Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency
Initiative.
7 U.S.C. §8110: Feedstock Flexibility Program (FFP)
for Bioenergy Producers
Administered by: Farm Service Agency (FSA), USDA.
Program Overview: Under the 2008 farm bill, the FFP required that USDA establish and
administer a sugar-for-ethanol program using sugar intended for food use but deemed to be in
surplus. USDA would subsidize the use of sugar for ethanol production through federal purchases
of surplus sugar for resale to ethanol producers. USDA would implement the program only in
those years where purchases are determined to be necessary to ensure that the sugar program
operates at no cost to the federal government.52 The FFP became effective upon publication of the
final rule by USDA in the Federal Register on July 29, 2013.53
The intent of the FFP is to provide the CCC a tool for avoiding sugar forfeitures. Under the sugar
program, domestic sugar beet or sugarcane processors may borrow from the CCC, pledging their
sugar production as collateral for any such loan, and then satisfy their loans either by repaying the
loan on or before loan maturity, or by transferring the title for the collateral to the CCC
immediately following loan maturity, also known as ‘‘forfeiture’’ of collateral (as specified in 7
C.F.R. §1435). The CCC is required to operate the sugar program, to the maximum extent
practicable, at no cost to the federal government, by avoiding forfeitures to CCC. If domestic
sugar market conditions are such that market rates are less than forfeiture level (i.e., forfeitures
appear likely), current law requires CCC to use FFP to purchase sugar and sell such sugar to
bioenergy producers to avoid forfeitures.
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the FFP through FY2023 with no
changes to program implementation.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill extends the mandatory funding authority of such sums as necessary
through FY2023. Discretionary funding is not authorized for the program. USDA reports it does
not expect to purchase and sell sugar under the FFP for crop year 2020.54

52 For more information on the sugar program, see CRS In Focus IF10689, Farm Bill Primer: Sugar Program, by Mark
A. McMinimy.
53 “Sugar Program: Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers,” Federal Register, vol. 78, no. 145, July
29, 2013.
54 U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Announces No Actions under Feedstock Flexibility Program,” press
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7 U.S.C. §8111: Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
Administered by: FSA, USDA.
Program Overview: BCAP supports the establishment and production of eligible crops for
conversion to bioenergy in selected BCAP project areas and assists agricultural and forest land
owners and operators with the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation (CHST) of eligible
material for use in a biomass conversion facility.55 BCAP provides two categories of assistance:56
1. establishment and annual payments, to producers that support the
establishment and production of eligible biomass crops on eligible land; and
2. matching payments, to producers, or a person with the right to collect or harvest
eligible material, for the delivery of eligible material to a biomass conversion
facility.
Establishment and annual payments are available to certain producers who enter into contracts
with USDA to produce eligible biomass crops on contract acres within designated BCAP project
areas.57 Eligible land for BCAP project area contracts includes agricultural land and nonindustrial
private forestland, but does not include federal or state-owned land, or land that is native sod.
Lands enrolled in existing land retirement programs for conservation purposes—the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) or the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)—also
become eligible during the fiscal year that their land retirement contract expires. Generally, crops
that receive payments under Title I (the commodity title) of the farm bill (e.g., corn, wheat, rice,
and soybeans) and noxious weeds or invasive species are not eligible for annual payments.
Matching payments are available to eligible material owners who deliver eligible material to
qualified biomass conversion facilities. Eligible material must be harvested directly from the land.
Invasive and noxious species are considered eligible material, and land ownership (private, state,
federal, etc.) is not a limiting factor to receive matching payments.
The 2014 farm bill changed enrolled land eligibility by including land under expiring CRP or
ACEP easement contracts. It also included residue from crops receiving Title I payments as
eligible material, but extended exclusion to any whole grain from a Title I crop, as well as
bagasse and algae. One-time establishment payments were limited to no more than 50% of cost of
establishment from 75% previously, not to exceed $500 per acre ($750 per acre for socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers). CHST matching payments may not exceed $20 per dry ton
(down from $45 per dry ton) and are available for a two-year period. Not less than 10% or more
than 50% of funding may be used for CHST. Funding shall be available for technical assistance.
Not later than four years after enactment of the 2014 farm bill, USDA was to submit to the House
and Senate Agriculture Committees a report on best practices from participants receiving
assistance under BCAP.58

release, July 1, 2021, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2021/usda-announces-no-actions-under-
feedstock-flexibility-program-2.
55 For more information, see CRS Report R41296, Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP): Status and Issues, by
Mark A. McMinimy, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Final rule,” 80 Federal
Register 10569, February 27, 2015. FSA administers the program under 7 C.F.R. §1450.
56 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Biomass Crop Assistance Program website, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-
and-services/energy-programs/BCAP/index.
57 See FSA, USDA, “BCAP Project Area Information,” at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/energy-
programs/BCAP/bcap-project-area/index.
58 7 U.S.C. §8111(e).
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Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. The 2018
farm bill expands the definition for eligible material to include algae.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $25 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8112: Forest Biomass for Energy (Repealed)
Administered by: Forest Service (FS), USDA.
Program Overview: The 2008 farm bill authorized the Forest Biomass for Energy program to
function as a research and development program to encourage use of forest biomass for energy.
The Forest Service, other federal agencies, state and local governments, Indian tribes, land-grant
colleges and universities, and private entities were to be eligible to compete for program funds.
Priority was to be given to projects that use low-value forest biomass for the production of
energy; develop processes to integrate the production of energy from forest biomass into existing
manufacturing streams; develop new transportation fuels from forest biomass; and improve the
growth and yield of trees intended for renewable energy production. Discretionary funding of $15
million was authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2009-FY2012. In the end, the Forest
Service never announced any regulations for this program.
Changes in 2014 Farm Bill: The 2014 farm bill repealed the Forest Biomass for Energy
program.
7 U.S.C. §8113: Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation
Program
Administered by: FS, USDA.
Program Overview: The 2008 farm bill authorized the Community Wood Energy Program to
provide grants of up to $50,000 to state and local governments to develop community wood
energy plans and competitive grants to acquire or upgrade community wood energy systems.
States and local governments that receive a grant under the program must contribute an amount of
nonfederal funds that matches the grant funds received. The 2014 farm bill defined a Biomass
Consumer Cooperative and authorized grants of up to $50,000 to be made to establish or expand
biomass consumer cooperatives that would provide consumers with services or discounts relating
to the purchase of biomass heating systems or products (including their delivery and storage). The
2014 farm bill also required that any biomass consumer cooperative that received a grant match at
least the equivalent of 50% of the funds toward the establishment or expansion of a biomass
consumer cooperative.
Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the program through FY2023. The
2018 farm bill changes the name to the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program,
and modifies the scope of the program and participant requirements. The program provides
financial assistance for the installation of community wood energy systems or building an
innovative wood product facility. In short, the 2018 farm bill defines a community wood energy
system as a system that produces thermal energy or combined thermal energy and electricity,
services public facilities owned or operated by state or local governments, and uses woody
biomass. The capacity of the community wood energy system shall not exceed 5 megawatts of
thermal energy or combined thermal and electric energy. In short, an innovative wood product
facility is defined as a manufacturing or processing plant or mill that produces building
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components that use large panelized wood (including mass timber), wood products from
nanotechnology, or other innovative wood products that use low-value, low-quality wood.
The 2018 farm bill removes the requirements for participants to implement a community wood
energy plan and the requirements for biomass consumer cooperatives. Cost-share grants may
cover up to 35% of the capital cost of the system or facility, and, for special circumstances, up to
50%. The Secretary is required to take into account certain selection criteria for awarding grants
(e.g., energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, displacement of fossil fuel generation). The Secretary
is to give priority to grant applicants that use the most stringent control technology for a wood-
fired boiler; would be carried out in a location where markets are needed for low-value, low-
quality wood; would be carried out in a location with limited access to natural gas pipelines;
would include the use or retrofitting of existing sawmill facilities that meet certain conditions;
and would be carried out in a location where the project will aide with forest restoration. A
maximum of 25% of the funds for the program for a fiscal year may go toward grants for
innovative wood facilities, unless the Secretary has received an insufficient number of
community wood energy system proposals.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $25 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.59
7 U.S.C. §8114: Sun Grant Program
Administered by: NIFA, USDA.
Program Overview: Created under the 2008 farm bill, the Sun Grant Initiative (SGI) is a
national network of land-grant universities and federally funded laboratories coordinated through
regional Sun Grant centers. The centers receive funding to enhance national energy security using
biobased energy technologies, to promote diversification and environmental sustainability of
agricultural production through biobased energy and product technologies, to promote economic
diversification in rural areas through biobased energy and product technologies, and to enhance
the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development programs.60 Competitive
grants are available to land-grant schools within each region to be used toward integrated,
multistate research, extension, and education programs on technology development and
implementation.
The Sun Grant Program is an offshoot of the Sun Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003 (§778 of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004; P.L. 108-199), which was created subsequent to the
2002 farm bill. The initiative was originally established with five Sun Grant research centers
based at land-grant universities, each covering a different region, to enhance coordination and
collaboration among USDA, DOE, and land-grant universities in the development, distribution,
and implementation of biobased energy technologies, among other purposes. The 2008 farm bill
established the Sun Grant Program and added a sixth regional center. NIFA administers the
program under 7 C.F.R. §3430, Subpart O. The 2014 farm bill extended the Sun Grant Program
with its discretionary funding authority (i.e., subject to appropriations) of $75 million annually

59 USDA reports it awarded “$2.1 million to support six shovel-ready projects in six states” under the program for
FY2021. U.S. Department of Agriculture, “USDA Awards $15 Million in Grants to Expand Wood Products, Wood
Energy Markets and Community Forests,” press release, May 7, 2021, https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/
2021/05/07/usda-awards-15-million-grants-expand-wood-products-wood-energy; and U.S. Forest Service, 2021
Community Wood Grant Program Awards, https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/energy-forest-products/wood-
innovation-community-wood-grants.
60 See National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Sun Grant Program, https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/sun-
grant-program.
Congressional Research Service

17

The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

through FY2018. It also consolidated and amended the Sun Grant Program to expand input from
other appropriate federal agencies and replace authority for gasification research with bioproducts
research and makes the program competitive by removing designation of certain universities as
regional centers.
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The 2018 farm bill extends the Sun Grant Program through FY2023
with no changes to program implementation.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $75 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.
7 U.S.C. §8115: Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program
Administered by: USDA, in consultation with DOE.
Program Overview: The 2018 farm bill establishes a carbon utilization and biogas education
program. It requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities for two
purposes: (1) education to the public about the economic and emissions benefits of carbon
dioxide utilization and sequestration, and (2) education about the opportunities to aggregate
multiple sources of organic waste into a single biogas system.
Changes in 2018 Farm Bill: The program was established in the 2018 farm bill.
Funding: The 2018 farm bill provides no mandatory funding for the program. Discretionary
funding of $2 million is authorized to be appropriated for each of FY2019-FY2023.

Congressional Research Service

18

Appendix. Supplementary Tables
Table A-1. Authorized Funding for 2018 Farm Bill Title IX Energy Provisions, FY2019-FY2023
(budget authority in $ millions)
U.S. Code
Total
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY19-FY23
7 U.S.C. §8102
Biobased Markets Program
M
3
3
3
3
3
15

D
3
3
3
3
3
15
7 U.S.C. §8103
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product
M
50
25
0
0
0
75
Manufacturing Assistance Program (formerly BAP)

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
7 U.S.C. §8105
Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels
M
7
7
7
7
7
35

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8106
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
2
2
2
2
2
10
7 U.S.C. §8107
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
M
50
50
50
50
50
250

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8107a Rural Energy Savings Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
7 U.S.C. §8108
Biomass Research and Development
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8110
Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers
M
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
7 U.S.C. §8111
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
25
25
25
25
25
125
CRS-19

U.S. Code
Total
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2019
FY2020
FY2021
FY2022
FY2023
FY19-FY23
7 U.S.C. §8113
Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
25
25
25
25
25
125
7 U.S.C. §8114
Sun Grant Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
7 U.S.C. §8115
Carbon Utilization and Biogas Education Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
2
2
2
2
2
10
Total Mandatory Funding Authorized

110
85
60
60
60
375
Total Discretionary Funding Authorized for Appropriation

342
342
342
342
342
1710
Source: P.L. 115-334 (Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018).
Notes: In the past, many of the energy title programs authorized to receive discretionary funding have not received such funding or have received lesser amounts in the
annual appropriations process than originally authorized in the farm bil . Congressional clients may contact the author for inquiries pertaining to mandatory funding
expiration and actual appropriations.
Abbreviations: M = mandatory funding; D = discretionary funding; “SSAN” = such sums as necessary.

CRS-20

Table A-2. Authorized Funding for 2014 Farm Bill Title IX Energy Provisions, FY2014-FY2018
(budget authority in $ millions)
U.S. Code
Total
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2014
FY2015
FY2016
FY2017
FY2018 FY2014-FY2018
7 U.S.C. §8102
Biobased Markets Program
M
3
3
3
3
3
15

D
2
2
2
2
2
10
7 U.S.C. §8103
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased
M
100
50
50
0
0
200
Product Manufacturing Assistance Program (formerly
BAP)

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
7 U.S.C. §8104
Repowering Assistance Program
M
12
0
0
0
0
12

D
10
10
10
10
10
50
7 U.S.C. §8105
Bioenergy Program for Adv. Biofuels
M
15
15
15
15
15
75

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8106
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
M
1
1
1
1
1
5

D
1
1
1
1
1
5
7 U.S.C. §8107
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
M
50
50
50
50
50
250

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8107a
Rural Energy Savings Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
7 U.S.C. §8108
Biomass Research and Development
M
3
3
3
3
0
12

D
20
20
20
20
20
100
7 U.S.C. §8110
Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy
M
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
Producers
7 U.S.C. §8111
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
M
25
25
25
25
25
125

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
7 U.S.C. §8113
Community Wood Energy Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
5
5
5
5
5
25
CRS-21

U.S. Code
Total
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2014
FY2015
FY2016
FY2017
FY2018 FY2014-FY2018
7 U.S.C. §8114
Sun Grant Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
Total Mandatory Funding Authorized

209
147
147
97
94
694
Total Discretionary Funding Authorized for Appropriation

303
303
303
303
303
1515
Source: P.L. 113-79 (Agricultural Act of 2014).
Notes: Many of the discretionary programs never received any funding or received lesser amounts through the annual appropriations process than originally authorized
in the farm bil . Additionally, mandatory funding for some programs for some years was limited in subsequent appropriation acts. Congressional clients may contact the
author for inquiries pertaining to mandatory funding expiration and actual appropriations. Mandatory funding is to remain available until expended for Title IX programs
under the fol owing programs: the Biorefinery Assistance Program, the Repowering Assistance Program, the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, the Rural Energy
for America Program, and the Biomass Research and Development Initiative.
Abbreviations: M = mandatory funding; D = discretionary funding; “SSAN” = such sums as necessary.

Table A-3. Authorized Funding for 2008 Farm Bill Title IX Energy Provisions, FY2008-FY2012
(budget authority in $ millions)
U.S. Code
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2008
FY2009
FY2010
FY2011
FY2012
Total
7 U.S.C. §8102
Biobased Markets Program
M
1
2
2
2
2
9

D
0
2
2
2
2
8
7 U.S.C. §8103
Biorefinery Assistance Program (BAP)
M
0
75
245
0
0
320

D
0
150
150
150
150
600
7 U.S.C. §8104
Repowering Assistance Program
M
0
35
0
0
0
35

D
0
15
15
15
15
60
7 U.S.C. §8105
Bioenergy Program for Adv. Biofuels
M
0
55
55
85
105
300

D
0
25
25
25
25
100
7 U.S.C. §8106
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
M
1
1
1
1
1
5
CRS-22

U.S. Code
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2008
FY2009
FY2010
FY2011
FY2012
Total

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
7 U.S.C. §8107
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
M
0
55
60
70
70
255

D
0
25
25
25
25
100
7 U.S.C. §8108
Biomass Research and Development
M
0
20
28
30
40
118

D
0
35
35
35
35
140
7 U.S.C. §8109
Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
0
5
5
5
5
20
7 U.S.C. §8110
Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy
M
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
Producers
7 U.S.C. §8111
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
M
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
7 U.S.C. §8112
Forest Biomass for Energy
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
0
15
15
15
15
60
7 U.S.C. §8113
Community Wood Energy Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
0
5
5
5
5
20
7 U.S.C. §8114
Sun Grant Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
75
75
75
75
75
375
Total Mandatory Funding Authorized

2
243
391
188
218
1042
Total Discretionary Funding Authorized for Appropriation

75
352
352
352
352
1483
Source: P.L. 110-246 (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) and P.L. 113-6 (Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013).
Notes: All mandatory funding authority expired at the end of FY2012, with the exception of the Feedstock Flexibility Program. Authority for discretionary funding was
extended under the Continuing Resolution (P.L. 112-175), for the first half of FY2013 effective October 1, 2012, through March 27, 2013; the American Taxpayer Relief
Act of 2012 (ATRA; P.L. 112-240, §701), and P.L. 113-6 (Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013), which appropriated funds for the second half
of FY2013. Many of the discretionary programs never received any funding or received lesser amounts through the annual appropriations process than originally
authorized in the farm bil . Additionally, mandatory funding for some programs for some years were limited in subsequent appropriation acts. Congressional clients may
contact the author for inquiries pertaining to actual appropriations.
Abbreviations: M = mandatory funding; D = discretionary funding; “SSAN” = such sums as necessary.
CRS-23

Table A-4. Authorized Funding for 2002 Farm Bill Title IX Energy Provisions, FY2002-FY2007
(budget authority in $ millions)
U.S. Code
Citation
Provision Name
Type
FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006 FY2007
Total
7 U.S.C. §8102
Federal Procurement of Biobased Products
M
1
1
1
1
1
1
6

D
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
7 U.S.C. §8103
Biorefinery Development Grants
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
7 U.S.C. §8104
Biodiesel Fuel Education Program
M
0
1
1
1
1
1
5

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7 U.S.C. §8105
Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development
Program
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
7 U.S.C. §8106
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency
Improvements
M
0
23
23
23
23
23
115

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7 U.S.C. §8107
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26 U.S.C. §7624
Biomass Research and Development
M
5
14
14
14
14
14
75

D
49
49
49
49
49
49
294
7 U.S.C. §6711
Cooperative Research and Extension Projects
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

D
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
SSAN
7 U.S.C. §8108
Continuation of Bioenergy Program
M
0
150
150
150
150

600

D
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total Mandatory Funding Authorized

6
189
189
189
189
39
801
Total Discretionary Funding Authorized for Appropriation

49
49
49
49
49
49
294
Source: P.L. 107-171 (Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002).
CRS-24

Notes: Congressional clients may contact the author for inquiries pertaining to mandatory funding expiration and actual appropriations.
Abbreviations: M = mandatory funding; D = discretionary funding; “SSAN” = such sums as necessary.
CRS-25

The Farm Bill Energy Title: An Overview and Funding History

Author Information

Kelsi Bracmort

Specialist in Natural Resources and Energy Policy

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