Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a confirmation hearing for Tom Vilsack, President Biden’s nominee for agriculture secretary.
Tom Vilsack is the former Governor of Iowa (1999-2007) and Secretary of Agriculture (2009-2017). Since 2017, he’s been president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. (Read more here.)
Here’s what he said yesterday about a few key issues.
Biofuels: In opening remarks, Vilsack spoke about the importance of expanding biofuels to address climate change and decarbonize all modes of transportation. “The reality is we're going to need biofuels and the biofuel industry for the foreseeable future,” he said in response to a question from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).
Vilsack later highlighted the role biofuels can play in decarbonizing transportation in response to a question from Sen. John Thune (R-SD), “I think we can make the case, should make the case, and will make the case, that there is a role to play for biofuels in climate, and reduction of emissions. I think there is a role for the biofuel industry to play as it relates to marine in aviation fuel as well. I think there's a terrific opportunity there.”
You heard it here first, but both Senators Ernst and Thune referenced the recent study from EH&E on the greenhouse gas emissions of corn-based ethanol.
Biobased Manufacturing: “I think there's an opportunity for us to create new markets, incentives for soil health, for carbon sequestration, for methane capture and reuse by building a rural economy based on bio manufacturing, protecting our forests, turning waste material into new chemicals and materials and fabrics and fibers, creating more jobs in rural America, creating greater farm income stability, and also reducing emissions,” he said. He indicated support for initiatives that enable farmers to participate and benefit from carbon markets, like the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which “could be essentially implemented administratively.”
Learn how we can fight climate change with biotech innovation.
One Health: There is a “recognition that animal health and human health are connected,” he told Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “We have to understand that this is a One Health system, and we need to make sure that we are in a position to first and foremost be able to detect more quickly at the farm gate when there’s a problem so we can respond more quickly.”
Read BIO’s 100 Days of Innovation blueprint for the Biden administration.
Innovation: Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) asked, “Would you expand on how innovations in agriculture will provide precision livestock and crop production and continue our nation's global leadership role in feeding and fueling the world?” He said USDA won’t be able to reach its goals “without innovation. We won't be able to do it without precision agriculture. We won't to be able to do it without a technology that converts agricultural waste into a variety of products.”
So, when will he be confirmed? According to POLITICO, "a senate floor vote on Vilsack's nomination is possible by the end of this week." And the unanimous vote out of the committee tells us what kind of support he could expect from the U.S. Senate.
Overall, BIO aligns with Vilsack’s pledge to make the “pandemic, racial justice and equity, and climate change” priorities for the Department of Agriculture.
P.S. Here's a fun fact!BIO presented Vilsack with the George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology in 2019—and we spotted the award bust behind him during the hearing!