Proceedings - Biomass South 2008

---

Bob Etheridge, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District, North Carolina

Bob Etheridge is the Congressman for the 2nd District of North Carolina in the U. S. House of Representatives. He currently serves on the House Agriculture, Budget and Homeland Security committees. He is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management of the House Agriculture Committee. As a part-time farmer, Bob Etheridge plays a unique role in protecting and promoting North Carolina's agricultural interests.

Bob Etheridge Biography - http://etheridge.house.gov/Biography/ (will open in new window)

Notes:

• Aside from food, energy is the most important commodity in the world
• US does not control its destiny anymore, because of import gasoline
• It means opportunity for NC, for being part of the solution
• Fuel price has huge impact on farmers
• Find alternatives & answers to these problems
• Research development is important
• Look for all options for alternative fuel
• Implement policy to facilitate these alternatives
• FARM BILL: has an energy title in an agriculture bill
  • Mandatory money every year
• Biorefinery:  convert raw material to biofuel
• $120 million, include feedstock development
• Work together to achieve
• Have job in the states, not being outsourced

Thanks to Sarah Ashton, Rachel Cook, Lindsey Hannum, James Jeuck, Liwei Lin, James McCarter, Susan McIntyre, and Mark Megalos for providing notes and summaries for presentations.