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The Legislative and Regulatory Affairs (LRA) Committee of the American Biogas Council meets regularly via conference calls to track policy developments on Capitol Hill and within federal regulatory agencies.
Goals for 2011
1. Increase the exposure of biogas/AD by engaging key federal and state agencies and congressional and executive branch leaders
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- Obama Administration (Senior Advisors, Council on Environmental
Quality, President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Energy, the
Economy, Technology Subcommittee)
- Agencies (DOE, EPA, USDA)
- Congressional Committees (Ways & Means, Senate Tax, Energy,
Agriculture)
- State Agencies (Department of Environment/Water Quality,
Environmental Facilities, Public Utilities/Service Commissions, Office
of Governor, Economic Development)
2. Ensure that biogas/AD is included in all renewables policy
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- Develop comprehensive list of policies and regulations requiring
advocacy
- Section 1603 tax incentives
- Production tax incentive parity with solar and wind
- Renewable energy legislation
- State feed-in tariffs or production incentives
- Organic Waste Management and Landfill Diversion
- State climate legislation (California AB32)
3. Establish regular operating rhythm with DOE, EPA and USDA and become key advisor for all 2012 Farm Bill programs affecting biogas/AD
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- Develop biogas/AD champions within USDA Rural Development and engage in quarterly reviews
- Optimize Title IX and Sec. 9007 (REAP) for biogas/AD projects
- Expand NRCS EQIP and RUS
- Determine which other ancillary programs benefit biogas/AD
- Nominate ABC representative to the USDA Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Board (BR&DTAB) before the joint DOE/BR&DTAB
4. Prepare legislative briefs, issue updates and testimony as required and build coalitions where needed
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- Build modularized positioning briefs to be utilized by ABC members
- Collaborative advocacy and education building with non-profits
- NGO: 25X'25, EDF, ACORE, etc.
- Industry: Dairy Power, Innovation Center for US Dairy (education only)
During 2010, members of the LRA Committee met with Members of Congress and their staff, participated in legislative briefings and events, and provided testimony and/or policy positions on a range of issues affecting anaerobic digestion, biogas markets Renewable Portfolio Standards and grants and funding.
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