As congressional appropriators were putting finishing touches on the appropriations bills for the remainder of the 2014 fiscal year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz wrote asking that Congress authorize the Energy Department to contribute a portion of funds to the Defense Department for the development of advanced biofuels.

USDA, Energy and the Navy Department last year signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of those fuels.

• Tri-agency letter on biofuels