Permission to establish the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing (LIBBi), a research, education and outreach initiative within the AgCenter

Permission from the Board of Regents to establish the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing (LIBBi), a research, education and outreach initiative within the AgCenter

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The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center has permission from the Board of Regents to establish the Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing (LIBBi), a research, education and outreach initiative within the AgCenter.

The LIBBi will not occupy its own facility, but will be a “virtual center” that will provide the roadmap needed to support new biofuels and bioprocessing endeavors in the state and prioritize pathways for integration of those industries into the mainstream, according to John Russin, AgCenter associate vice chancellor and institute director. The LIBBi is expected to link Louisiana’s agricultural base with emerging bioenergy initiatives, which will expand the state’s role in developing renewable energy sources, while expanding the economic base for crop producers in the state, according to the proposal submitted to the Board of Regents.

The regents’ approval is conditional for one year, in which time the AgCenter will work on several first-year initiatives, including soliciting ongoing federal support for the institute; assembling an external advisory board; developing an annual conference with speakers from the industry and academia; facilitating effective information exchange among public and private partners; and developing electronic and print materials to educate stakeholders and policymakers about industry opportunities in Louisiana, according to the proposal.