In an effort to recognize the contributions of bioenergy to the environment, rural economic development and energy security, the Senate Farm Bill drafted by Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa includes an Energy Title - a farm bill first.  The energy title seeks to promote farm based renewable energy sources such as ethanol, biodiesel, wind and biomass. 

Specifically, the energy title would create a biorefinery development grant program to help fund research and development in new and improved methods of processing biomass into fuels and chemicals.  It would create a biobased-product purchasing requirement for federal agencies, and implement an "environmentally preferable biobased products" labeling program.  The energy title promotes the use of renewable hydrogen and fuel cells on the farm.  It also includes a Sense of the Congress resolution in support of the Commodity Credit Corporation's Bioenergy Program as well as a national renewable fuel standard.