Biotech group sends letter to Cochran urging mandatory funding
A group of Mississippi biotechnology companies and state associations have written Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), urging him to support mandatory funding for renewable energy programs in a new Farm Bill.
Elevance Renewable Sciences of Natchez and DuPont Corporation, which has operations in Pass Christian and Pascagoula, sent the letter along with supporters at AgBioworks Foundation and the Memphis Bioworks Foundation.
The letter read, in part: “The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry will soon consider a new version of the Farm Bill. As that process develops, we ask you to help champion the key energy title reforms and updates that senators included in last year’s bill and to ensure the legislation provides for at least $800 million in mandatory energy program funding, which the bipartisan Conrad-Lugar Amendment established. Robust mandatory funding for energy programs is instrumental to their success, and reform language in S. 3240 providing long-overdue eligibility for renewable chemicals in key energy title programs is vital to the future of this promising industry.
MBJ
5/10/13
Magnolia Tribune
