Hayes Appointed to USDA-DOE Biomass Research Committee

Dermot J. Hayes has been invited to join the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee, jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy. The appointment is for three years.

The committee was established by the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 and assists the two departments in meeting the act's "important national goals of a healthier rural economy and improved national security."

As a member of the committee, Hayes will advise the Biomass Research and Development Board, which coordinates research and development activities relating to biofuels. The Technical Advisory Committee lends expertise on strategic planning and direction of requests for proposals issued under the Biomass Initiative and the procedures for reviewing and evaluating the proposals.

The committee also helps connect federal and state agencies, agricultural producers, industry, consumers, and the research community for program work relating to federal biomass research and development.

Hayes holds the Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chair in Agribusiness. He is a professor in both the economics and finance departments at Iowa State University.

(Released January 2009)