The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act

Overview

The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act would enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ability to promote the expanding array of ag-based bioproducts to public and private sector buyers by improving USDA’s longstanding BioPreferred Program. With this increased support and investment, BioPreferred can benefit America’s heartland while also building a more sustainable and circular economy.

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What They Are Saying

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

We are positioned to lead the world in biobased innovation through new renewable chemicals, biobased plastics, and other products that reduce our dependence on petroleum and create new markets for our farmers and growers. The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act will build on this progress by improving federal purchasing of biobased products and providing a stable market for our nation’s farmers.

House Agriculture Committee member Mark Alford (R-MO)

Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)

Right now, our farmers and ranchers are providing the agriculture feedstocks to produce biobased products of all kinds. They do this using the BioPreferred program. We must protect and strengthen producers’ access to these necessary markets. This legislation does just that.

House Agriculture Committee member Angie Craig (D-MN)

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)

Expanding our supply of biobased products benefits our economy, our environment and Minnesota family farmers. Our bipartisan bill will strengthen and stabilize markets for family farmers and promote good-paying manufacturing jobs in our state.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Biomanufacturing is crucial for developing new commodity markets, driving economic growth, and creating jobs.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)

For too long, we’ve allowed China and the European Union to eat our lunch in biomanufacturing. As leaders in corn and soybean production, Iowa’s farmers are uniquely positioned to supply the ag feedstocks used to make biobased products.

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE)

Nebraska is home to bold innovation and leadership in biomanufacturing. The opportunities to produce homegrown bio-based products will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and mining. The expansion of this industry will add value to our crops and create more American jobs.

Rep. Max L. Miller (R-OH)

It would unleash the strongest potential for growing the U.S. bio-based products industry offering increased economic opportunities to farmers and the rural communities.

Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

At its core, a bushel of corn or soybeans is the equivalent of a barrel of oil – raw material that can be used to make any number of biobased products. Iowa is already the undisputed national leader in biofuels production, but the sky’s the limit on how many additional biobased products can be made for consumers here and around the world. The bipartisan efforts of Senators Ernst and Klobuchar could lead to new biobased products and markets, which will add more value to our crops and create new jobs and businesses in Iowa.

What are key benefits of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act?

Create new farmer revenue streams by boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks like corn and soybeans.
Enhance USDA’s ability to promote ag-based bioproducts by improving the longstanding BioPreferred Program.
Encourage federal procurement that considers product lifespan, savings, and efficacy.
Improve data collection on biobased products to better quantify the economic and environmental benefits and identify supply chain development needs.
Ensure America maintains global leadership in biomanufacturing by promoting federal coordination on bioproducts research and support for American innovation.

What does the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act do?

Improve procurement officer training on USDA’s BioPreferred Program, access to the BioPreferred catalog, and agency reporting of biobased products purchasing.
Provide federal agencies with guidance on considering product lifespan, long-term savings, and efficiency when making procurement decisions.
Allow USDA to conduct public outreach and promote the use of biobased products.
Require USDA to conduct an economic impact study of the biobased products industry.
Establish a four-year Biobased Task Force at USDA to coordinate research, development, promotion, marketing, and analysis of biobased products.
Direct the Commerce Department, in coordination with USDA, to develop North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) product codes for biobased products.