Biomass Board

Membership includes the following agencies:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Department of Energy
• National Science Foundation
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Interior
• Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
• Department of Transportation

Agency representatives to the Biomass Research and Development Board for 2003 are:

Co-Chairs
Thomas C. Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA
Alexander A. Karsner, Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE

Members
Dr. Bruce Hamilton, Director, Bioengineering and Environmental Systems Division, NSF
John A. Bobo, Jr., Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator,
    Research and Innovative Technology Administration, DOT
In transition, EPA
C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, DOI
Dr. Sharon Hays, Chief of Staff, OSTP
Dana Arnold, Chief of Staff, OFEE

The National Coordination Office serves as the executive secretariat for the Board, preparing reports and conducting the day-to-day activities to the Initiative.

Official functions of the Board include the following:

• Coordinating programs within and among departments and agencies of the Federal Government for the purpose of promoting the use of biobased industrial products by
  • maximizing the benefits deriving from Federal grants and assistance; and
  • bringing coherence to Federal strategic planning.
• Coordinating research and development activities relating to biobased industrial products--
  • between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy; and
  • with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government; and
• Providing recommendations to the points of contact concerning administration of the Act.

The Board was originally established as The Interagency Council on Biobased Products and Bioenergy, under Executive Order 13134. However, the Biomass R&D Act superceded the E.O. in establishing the current Biomass Research and Development Board.