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BIOBASED
PRODUCTS FOR FARMERS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PASSES TENNESSEE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
(97-0)
NASHVILLE,
TENNESSEE - On February 28, 2000, the Tennessee House of Representatives
unanimously passed (97-0) the "Biobased Products for Farmers and
Rural Development Act of 2000". The legislation, House Bill 2546,
was drafted and filed by Rep. Kathryn Bowers of District 87 in Memphis.
Rep. Bowers holds an influential position in Tennessee agriculture, as
the Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. Tennessee State Representatives
Ferguson, Baird, Goins, and Caldwell are co-sponsors of the legislation.
House Bill
2546 states that "the general assembly finds that the development
of biobased products, agricultural biomass, bast fiber crops and industrial
utilization is in the best interest of Tennessee's economy and agriculture.
The bill also states, "the general assembly recognizes the importance
of agricultural fibers as the basic building blocks for biobased products."
In HB 2546, "Agricultural Fiber means any fiber materials derived
from an agricultural crop including, but not limited to, corn stover,
cotton, kenaf, rice straw, Switchgrass, and wheat straw." The bill
also states, "Agricultural fibers are the building blocks of biobased
products and contain cellulose, lignocellulose and other properties desired
by industry."
The "Biobased
Products for Farmers and Rural Development Act of 2000" includes
bast fiber crops as a valuable component in biobased products. In House
Bill 2546, "Bast fiber crop means crops such as kenaf that are comprised
of an outer fiber "bast" and an inner fiber "core"
or "hurd"." The Tennessee House of Representatives recognizes,
"Bast fiber crops are utilized in new markets including building
materials, pulp and paper and absorbency products."
Dr. Marilyn
A. Brown, Deputy Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program
at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, testified in support of HB 2546 before
a subcommittee on January 15, 2000. In her testimony she stated, "The
potential for biobased products and bioenergy in Tennessee is promising."
She went on to say, "Farmer participation in producing crops for
bionergy and biobased markets will have additional benefits for Tennessee.
It could result in cleaner air, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved
soil and water quality."
The "Biobased
Products for Farmers and Rural Development Act of 2000" establishes
a state statute recommending the cooperation between Agricenter International,
Agro-Tech Communications, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee State
University and University of Tennessee in the development of biobased
products, agricultural biomass and bast fiber crops.
Clip from:
Ag. Fiber Technology News, Memphis, TN
For More
Information, contact:
Rep. Kathryn I. Bowers (D) District 87, Memphis
Vice Chair, House Agriculture Committee, Tennessee General Assembly
23 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0187
Ph: (615)741-2509, Fax: (615)741-4335
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us
Agro-Tech
Communications
PH: (901)757-1777
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.agrotechfiber.com
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