USDA releases strategic energy science plan

The Research, Education, and Extension arm of the US Department of Agriculture has developed a Strategic Energy Science Plan. The vision of the plan is to "grow a clean, efficient, sustainable energy future for America" with the goals of producing sustainable agriculture and natural resource-based energy production; sustainable bioeconomies for rural communities; efficient use of energy and energy conservation; and workforce development for the bioeconomy. A few of the interesting outcomes of the plan include:

• Certification systems to ensure sustainability of bioenergy and biobased products
• Whole life-cycle analysis of at least two regionally appropriate production systems
• Decision tools to help farmers, energy producers, and rural communities consider their participation in alternative-energy systems
• Triple the number of students in college- and university-based bioenergy and bioeconomy education programs.
  

The full report can be found here.