OLATHE, Kan. — With oil and gas prices reaching all-time highs, global demand for energy growing rapidly, and a marketplace searching for alternatives, Kansas is preparing to offer its significant resources — and strong bioenergy innovation — to help address this serious national challenge.
At the forefront of these efforts will be the Kansas Bioscience Authority’s statewide bioenergy working group, created by the KBA board of directors this month with a mandate to accelerate the development of bioenergy technologies and to provide tangible support for cutting-edge bioenergy projects.
KBA president Tom Thornton said the state has much to offer in this critical bioscience sector and is poised for leadership.
“Kansas has a unique combination of natural resources, research expertise, and public-private commitment that can move the nation forward in meeting its bioenergy needs,” Thornton said. “Where others see problems, we see opportunities to bring industry, scientific, and academic leaders together to forge the path to sustainable bioenergy.”
The statewide bioenergy working group will announce a comprehensive plan to promote bioenergy and biorefining growth in the state in February. This plan, which will be informed by input from industry, public agencies, legislators, and others, will set aggressive goals and clear plans for harnessing the state’s bioenergy assets.
KBA chairwoman Sandra Lawrence said the plan will be focused on action.
“Kansas researchers and companies already are contributing significantly to the bioenergy sector. Now, with the increased urgency for alternatives in the marketplace, Kansas will move forward quickly in its areas of bioenergy strength to help America meet its energy needs in a comprehensive, affordable way,” Lawrence said.
Members of the statewide bioenergy working group include:
- Ed McKechnie, Watco Companies
- Angela Kreps, KansasBIO
- Secretary Adrian Polansky, Department of Agriculture
- Secretary David Kerr, Department of Commerce
- Aaron Popelka, Office of U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran
- Greg Krissek, ICM
- Steve Seabrook, POET Ethanol Products
- Tim Cesarek, Koch Genesis
- Tom Robb, Abengoa Bioenergy NT
- Brian Cahill, MGP Ingredients
- David Forsee, Brookside Capital
- Tom Tunnell, Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors
- Jere White, Kansas Corngrowers and Kansas Sorghum Producers
- Jesse McCurry, Kennedy and Coe
- Mary Rezac, Kansas State University
- Bala Subramaniam, University of Kansas
- Bret Healy, Kansas Bioscience Authority
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About the KBA
The Kansas Bioscience Authority is a $581-million initiative created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to expand the state’s world-class research capacity and bioscience clusters; support the growth of bioscience startups; and stimulate bioscience business expansion and attraction.