The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry discussed sections of the 2012 House Farm Bill dealing with energy-creating crops used for biofuels. They also looked at the conservation of natural resources like water and soil.
Both the House and the Senate are currently working on their own versions of a 2012 Farm Bill. The current five-year bill expires at the end of September.
The first panel on energy policy included representatives from the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Agriculture Energy Coalition and National Biodiesel Board, as well as the President of MFA Oil Company.
A second panel focused on agriculture policy and include representatives from the American Forest Foundation, National Association of State Foresters, National Association of Conservation Districts and American Loggers Council and Society of American Foresters.
The hearing was chaired by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA).