Oregon Public Broadcasting

Federal Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says wood from Northwest forest floors could help wean the U.S. from foreign oil. Vilsack told correspondent Doug Nadvornick that he's enlisting the region's help to double the amount of biofuel produced in the U.S..

For years, corn has been the major contributor to America's biofuels industry. Now, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has his eye on a number of potential new fuels.

Tom Vilsack: "Perennial grasses, municipal waste, algae."

He also has woody material from Northwest forests on his list. Vilsack envisions several biofuel plants in the region that convert branches and other forest debris into burnable fuel.

He says it's part of a national strategy to reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.

Tom Vilsack: "What we want is a nationwide effort here so that everyone's got a stake in the success of a biofuels industry."

He says biofuels plants could also bring new life to rural economies.

But others are eyeing those same woody slash piles as fuel for plants that create electricity. Vilsack thinks there's enough material to go around.