ASA Rutherford Addresses the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008)

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2008 –Assistant Secretary Boyd Rutherford addressed the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) as part of a panel addressing the “Development of Biobased Products Industry (Non-fuels).”

ASA Rutherford described the economic and environmental impact of the government participation in BioPreferred, a procurement preference program for biobased products. He stated, “We are working to make USDA a model government agency in regards to procuring biobased products. From cleaning supplies to composting in our cafeterias, we want other agencies to look to us for best practices and the implementation of ‘green’ procurement policies.”

To further this effort, USDA will hold its first BioPreferred Biobased Product Showcase and Training, in conjunction with the 2008 GSA International Products and Expo on April 21-24 in Anaheim, California.

For more information, contact Shana Love, Special Assistant, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, 202-205-4008 or Shana.Love@usda.gov or visit www.greening.usda.gov.