USDA Selects Abengoa in Hugoton to Accept Biomass Deliveries in Kansas

Adrian J. Polansky, Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced that USDA has selected Abengoa located in Hugoton to accept biomass deliveries supported by the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Biomass material owners who supply Abengoa may qualify for BCAP delivery assistance starting July 28, 2014.

Of the total $25 million per year authorized for BCAP, up to 50 percent ($12.5 million) is available each year to assist biomass owners with the cost of harvest delivery of agricultural or forest residues for energy generation. Some BCAP payments will target the removal of dead or diseased trees from National Forests and Bureau of Land Management public lands for renewable energy, which reduces the risk of forest fire.

“This program is beneficial to the citizens of Kansas,” said Polansky. “BCAP generates clean energy from biomass and invests in rural businesses and new energy markets.”

Farmers, ranchers or foresters who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a BCAP-qualified energy facility may be eligible for financial assistance for deliveries. FSA, which administers BCAP, will begin accepting applications from biomass owners from July 28 through Aug. 25. Producers in the following Kansas counties are eligible for financial assistance: Grant, Haskell, Meade, Stevens, and Seward. Biomass owners must have a completed and approved contract with FSA before eligible material is delivered. Deliveries of residues for approved contracts may be made through Sept. 26, 2014.

Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap or a local FSA county office to learn more about BCAP.