Agency: Department of Agriculture-Office of the Secretary
Description:
Authorization for the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a pilot program where USDA partners with at least one agricultural research institution to study the economic, social, and environmental benefits of using materials derived from agricultural commodities (bioproducts) in the production of construction products and consumer products.
Bill Section:
70501
New or Existing:
New
Potential Cost:
$10,000,000
Timeline:
FY22-23
Implementation Status/Rulemaking:
On July 14, 2022, USDA announced the availability of up to $10 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2023 Bioproduct Pilot Program (BPP). Applications were due August 31, 2022: Source
On December 20, 2023, USDA announced $9.5 million in grants for three BPP projects. The three awardees were: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, for a project that proposes to convert food waste into biodegradable, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based bioplastics; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for a project that proposes to convert swine manure and other organic feedstocks into biobinders for asphalt; and Soylei Innovations, for a project that proposes to transform high oleic soybean oil into thermoplastic rubber for pavements: Source
On July 27, 2023, the USDA Office of Inspector General published a report on the Bioproduct Pilot Program (BPP): Source
TCS Notes:
The IIJA authorizes $4 million – $2 million in FY22 and $2 million in FY23 – and appropriates $10 million – $5 million in FY22 and $5 million in FY23.