Michelle Wu: “this year's farm bill creates an education program to give college students an opportunity to participate in policy…”

“this year's farm bill creates an education program to give college students an opportunity to participate in policy oriented internships to promote and further develop agricultural biofuels from biomass. I commend the Chairman for incorporating this program into the bill. The biofuel industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Global climate change, and an unstable foreign oil supply, requires the United States to develop alternative energies. To do this, the United States must create leaders in alternative energies. We must recruit the best and brightest across the Nation to participate in the program. My amendment makes the eligibility criteria fair and opens the door for more qualified students to apply. As currently written, the program reaches only five specific states. It is important that Congress does not shut out qualified universities and students. My amendment would expand the program to qualified universities that have fields of study related to the biomass and biofuel industry. Schools with programs in chemistry, environmental sciences, bioengineering, natural resources and public policy would be eligible to participate in the internship program. This amendment will not add any additional cost to the bill; it will only make the internship more competitive.”