USDA Agencies in California to Hold Twelve Public Meetings on Biofuels

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USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Sep 28, 2010, 03:01 ET

Public comments sought on how USDA agencies can assist California's biofuel's industry

DAVIS, Calif., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and USDA Rural Development (RD), and the California Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils, announce twelve public meetings, throughout the state, to solicit public comments on the subject of biofuels. California's twelve Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils will each hold one meeting in their area of the state.

"USDA is working to expand energy opportunities by producing alternative forms of energy and fuel, and to ensure that we are doing the research necessary to allow agriculture to transition away from its rather significant dependence on fossil fuel," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Topics to be discussed at the public meetings include sources of feedstock, the current local infrastructure to support biofuels, and the estimated land use needed in California for biofuels. In addition, input is sought on how state and/or federal government agencies can better partner with the private sector to increase demand for biofuels, and suggestions on how government agencies can assist with infrastructure improvements in the private sector.

USDA agencies will consider each comment received at the public meetings when finalizing the USDA Biofuels Strategic Production Report, a Regional Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022. This report is part of the USDA effort to develop a comprehensive strategy to help recharge the rural American economy through the development of a successful biofuels market.

The first nine public meetings are scheduled for:

1. Central Sierra RC&D
Coordinator: Dick McCleery
Tel: 209-257-1851 ext. 101
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Monday, Oct. 4, 2010
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Jackson City Hall, 33 Broadway St., Jackson, CA 95642

2. Northwest RC&D
Coordinator: Bryon Hadwick
Tel: 530-623-2009 ext. 102
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010
Time: 1 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Trinity Public Utilities District, 26 Ponderosa Lane, Weaverville, CA 96093

3. North Cal-Neva RC&D
Coordinator: Mark Steffek
Tel: 530-233-8868
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010
Time: 2 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Lassen National Forest Complex, 2550 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA

4. Central Sacramento Valley RC&D
Coordinator: Larry Akin
Tel: 530-534-0112 ext. 125
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
Time: 1 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Feather River Tribal Health Center, 2145 5th Ave., Oroville, CA

5. South Coast RC&D
Coordinator: Holly Shiralipour
Tel: 951-682-3956
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
Time: 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 1084 Columbia Ave., Riverside, CA 92507
Hosted by UCR-Center for Environmental Research & Technology

6. North Coast RC&D
Coordinator: Phil Giles
Tel: 707-569-9710
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Friday, Oct. 15, 2010
Time: 1 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mendocino County Administration Center, 501 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah, CA

7. High Sierra RC&D
Coordinator: Nancyjo Riekse
Tel: 530-823-5687 ext. 115
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Friday, Oct. 15, 2010
Time: 9 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Placer County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Sponsor: Jennifer Montgomery, Placer County Supervisor

8. Desert Mountain RC&D
Coordinator: Deana Jerdee
Tel: 760-446-1974
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Monday, Oct. 18, 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Mojave Water Agency, 22450 Headquarters Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92807

9. Southern Low Desert RC&D
Coordinator: Ilima Hawkins
Tel: 760-347-3675 ext. 124
Email: [email protected]
Meeting Date: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010
Time: 2 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Stockmen's Club, 275 Marjorie Ave., Brawley, CA 9227
Host: Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation

The remaining three RC&D councils will schedule meetings in the coming days. Please contact the listed representative for more information.

1. Ore-Cal RC&D
Coordinator: Gene Kelley
Tel: 530-667-4247
Email: [email protected]

2. Central Coast RC&D
Coordinator: Jeff Rodriguez
Tel: 805-434-0396 ext. 119
Email: [email protected]

3. Yosemite-Sequoia RC&D
Coordinator: Robyn Smith
Tel: 559-877-8660
Email: [email protected]

Public comments can also be submitted by Oct 24, 2010, to Val Dolcini, FSA California state director at [email protected], for inclusion in the comments to be submitted. The link to the report and the associated questions can be found at http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/biofuels.html.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a discrimination claim, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD)

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service