April 20, 2007

Nebraska, along with 12 other states in the North Central Region, has the potential to produce a half to two-thirds of the nation's perennial bioenergy crops and crop residues. This puts the region in the national spotlight as Congress considers federal farm policy that will help shift the country's energy reliance from the Mideast to the Midwest.

The North Central Bioeconomy Consortium, or NCBEC, a 12-state collaborative effort of the directors of the Departments of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Services and University Agricultural Experiment Stations, recently unveiled its plans to help guide this transition by coordinating policy and research in the region.

"University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension looks forward to being a partner with the consortium to deliver education programs to communities, producers, and business leaders across Nebraska so that we continue to be a leader in bioenergy development," said DeLynn Hay, UNL Extension program leader. "The consortium provides a mechanism for enhanced cooperation and sharing of resources across the 12 states."

In addition to Nebraska, states involved in NCBEC include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The NCBEC recently received a $100,000 grant from the Energy Foundation of San Francisco to coordinate regional public policy development and research for a renewable energy future. A strategic partnership has been formed with the Great Plains Institute of Minneapolis, Minn., to assist in coordination, facilitation and implementation of the 12-state consortium agenda.

"We will be conducting research and education programs of bio-based fuels and products in cooperation with other states that will help lead the way in renewable energy," said Gary Cunningham, dean of UNL's Agricultural Research Division.

The 12-state consortium met for the first time Feb. 10 in Washington, D.C., to reach a memorandum of understanding for the three participating organizations.

"This collaboration will serve as a great resource and policy development tool," said Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach. "Working together will help positively position our states, as the renewable fuels dialogue continues nationally."

The NCBEC recently submitted summary work to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and House's Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., documenting the 12-state north central region's achievements and potential in leading the transition to greater use of bioenergy, biofuels, and bioproducts. The North Central Bioeconomy Consortium members recently elected its leadership team for the first two years. President is Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, vice president is Forest Chumley of Kansas and secretary is Dennis Campion of Illinois.NCBEC also recently agreed to collaborate with the Midwest Governor's Association on policy review and development for a proposed Energy Summit to be held later this year.

IANR News Release