USDA Invests in Sustainable Energy: An Interview with Chris Cassidy, Business and Renewable Energy Advisor to the USDA
David Schwartz
As the business and renewable energy advisor to the US Department of Agriculture, Chris Cassidy’s responsibility is to represent funding offerings through USDA Rural Development programs such as the Farm Bill, Rural Energy for America, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as well as other government-sponsored renewable energy programs for researchers, businesses, farmers and ranchers. His efforts go toward a primary goal of creating job opportunities in rural America to support our national security interests and to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels in a sustainable manner.
“We cover the full spectrum,” says Chris. “We have research and development programs, we have demonstration and pilot programs, we have venture capital programs, first of their kind scale-up to the commercial level, commercial technology and commercial replication. After technical assistance and research and development grants, we also have loan guarantee and payment programs to assist farmers, ranchers and rural businesses to get into the renewable energy market.”
We continued our conversation in the hallway outside the Southwest Biofuels Conference, April 13, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Q: The developing algae industry brings together many different disciplines that traditionally haven’t been under one roof. Not only diverse job functions, but it also brings industries together that haven’t communicated in the past, as suggested by the recent announced by Sapphire placing ex-chief officers from Monsanto and BP on their board. What do algae producers need to know about where this industry is moving, at a macro level?
A: I think Sapphire Energy is an excellent example of where the algae industry is moving. They started at the lab scale and now they are moving into the commercial level expansion and production, and the fact that they do have Monsanto and British Petroleum executives on their board now is a clear signal that this is something that is sustainable. It is here to stay. It has incredible potential, not only from a science and technology perspective, but it’s going to directly affect the economies in the rural areas, as well as support our national security interests.
