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WHEREAS, current biobased product and bioenergy technology has the potential to make renewable farm and forest resources major sources of affordable electricity, fuel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other materials; and
WHEREAS, technical advances in these areas can create an expanding array of new business and employment opportunities for farmers, forest products companies and other businesses in Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, these technologies can create new markets for farm and forest bi-products and residuals, new economic opportunities for underused land and new value-added business opportunities; and
WHEREAS, they also have the potential to reduce Wisconsin’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, water quality and flood control, decrease erosion and help minimize net production of greenhouse gases; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Administration, to develop a comprehensive state strategy, including research, development and private sector incentives, to stimulate the creation and early adoption of technologies needed to make biobased products and bioenergy cost-competitive in large national and international markets;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM, DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. § 14.019, do hereby:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM, DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of this State, and specifically by Wis. Stat. § 14.019, do hereby:
- Establish the Consortium on Biobased Industry (the “Consortium”); and
- Direct the Secretaries of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Natural Resources and the Administrator of the Department of Administration Division of Energy to consult with the Governor regarding potential members of the Consortium; and
- Provide that the Consortium will include up to 20 members of stakeholders including representatives from the farm, forestry, chemical manufacturing and other businesses, energy companies, electric utilities, environmental organizations, the university research community and other critical sectors; and
- Provide that members of the Consortium may serve on the Consortium through designees; and
- Provide that the Consortium shall have the following mission:
a. Recommend short-term and long-term policy and commercialization strategies for the Governor outlining overall state goals and actions that promote the development and use of biobased products and bioenergy in an environmentally sound manner; and
b. Propose how these goals can best be achieved through federal and state programs, integrated planning and regional cooperation; and
c. Identify mechanisms that would encourage and support private sector initiatives in biobased product development; and
d. Advise on policies at the state and federal level that would support development of biobased products and energy and new and expanding markets to support them; and
6. Provide that these recommendations shall:
a. Cover biobased products, including commercial and industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, products with large carbon sequestering capacity and other materials; and
b. Cover biomass used in the production of energy (electricity, liquid, solid and gaseous fuels and heat); and
c. Include a description of priorities for research, development, demonstration and other investments in biobased products and bioenergy; and
d. Include a list of current federal research programs and funding to target; and
e. Include proposals for using existing agency authorities to encourage the adoption and use of biobased products and bioenergy and recommended legislation for modifying these authorities or creating new authorities if needed; and
7. Require the Consortium to submit a final report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor and that the Consortium shall dissolve when its final report is accepted by the Governor.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twenty-seventh day of May in the year two thousand five.
JIM DOYLE
Governor
By the Governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
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