Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule amending the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) to implement changes required by the 2014 Farm Bill. BCAP provides financial assistance to owners and operators engaged in biomass crops, including collection, harvest, storage, and transportation. The final rule does not alter the scope of the BCAP but does reduce the payment rate per ton for eligible materials and limits the cost share per acre. Comments on the rule are due by April 28, 2015. The rule will be effective on May 28, 2015.

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