04/21/06 Bioenergy financing application deadline

Washington Ag April 20, 2006 The Washington State Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for Energy Freedom Loans. They can be used to finance the development of new production facilities for bioenergy, including biodiesel from oil seed crushers and methane from anaerobic digesters. The legislature approved $17 million for low-interest loans to help launch an expanded bioenergy industry in the state. Some of the money is earmarked for specific projects, but WSDA's new bioenergy coordinator Greg Wright, says six-point-seven-five million is available for other projects on a competitive basis. The application deadline is May 12th. Wright: "Our intention is to be ready to fund these projects July 1 when the money actually becomes available at the start of the new fiscal period for the state. And the May 12th deadline was also set not only to help us meet that July 1 deadline but also to be consistent with some of the federal energy grants and low interest loans that are available through USDA." Applications and information can be found at www.agr.wa.gov/bioenergy I'm Bob Hoff.