Policy makers, from federal to local levels, are key players in developing bioenergy industries. They are responsible for setting bioenergy mandates, guiding community economic developments, and funding research and development efforts. This webinar explored the role that policy makers have in developing bioenergy industries. We discussed methods for engaging policy makers in bioenergy developments and identified ways that university research can inform bioenergy decisions.

In this webinar, Nora Haider, Extension Coordinator at Washington State University shared results from a recent survey of policy makers in the Pacific Northwest. The survey identifies how to best communicate with policy makers about bioenergy. Peter Moulton, Energy Policy Section Manager and Bioenergy Coordinator for Washington State Department of Commerce provided an overview of bioenergy policies and shared strategies for stakeholder to interact meaningfully with policy makers. This information can be useful for anyone communicating with policy makers about environmental issues.