The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) applauds the bipartisan reintroduction of the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act. This critical piece of legislation, led by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) represents a forward-thinking commitment to strengthening America’s biobased economy and rural communities.
“We’re at a pivotal moment for the American bioeconomy, and the Ag BIO Act provides the critical tools this sector needs to scale up production of homegrown, plant-based solutions,” said James Glueck, Executive Director of PBPC. “We are grateful to ag bioeconomy champions on Capitol Hill for their strategic vision to introduce bipartisan legislation that will elevate U.S. leadership in biomanufacturing, create resilient supply chains, and open new markets for American farmers and innovators.”
The Ag BIO Act builds on USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program by modernizing and expanding its reach. The bill would establish a cost-share grant program to support the construction and retrofitting of pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries, which is key to proving the commercial viability of converting renewable biomass into renewable chemicals and biobased products. It also seeks to streamline the program’s eligibility criteria, clarify existing loan guarantee provisions, and expand eligible outputs — an important step to strengthen the ag bioeconomy in the U.S. This legislation offers a roadmap for increasing U.S. competitiveness in biomanufacturing, supporting new markets for agricultural feedstocks, and accelerating the transition to homegrown materials and technologies.
More broadly, the Ag BIO Act reflects a growing national imperative to invest in American innovation and revitalize domestic manufacturing, as highlighted by the recent report from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. By expanding access to capital for early-stage biorefineries and diversifying the types of biobased outputs eligible for support, this bill positions the United States to lead in the next generation of industrial innovation. It also reinforces the role of America’s farmers and rural entrepreneurs as key drivers of a more resilient, circular economy.
“PBPC is proud to support the Ag BIO Act and looks forward to working with lawmakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to drive this legislation forward and deliver real benefits to farmers, rural communities and consumers,” said Glueck.
For more information on PBPC’s Farm Bill priorities, visit PBPC.com.
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