U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture Announce $6.3 Million for Biofuels Research

In a joint effort between the two agencies the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture announced on Wednesday $6.3 million in funding for fundamental genomics-enabled research for the improved use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production.  The goals of the program are to diversify the country's energy portfolio and decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. 

According to Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary, "Part of the solution to the energy problem will be home-grown energy crops.  These projects will help us unlock the true potential of advanced biofuels, decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and create new jobs and a thriving biofuels industry in America.”

The funding will come from a joint Department of Energy and USDA program that began in 2006.  This program is focused on research in biomass genomics to facilitate use of lignocellulosic materials for bioenergy and biofuels.  The benefit of lignocellulosic plants is that they are easier to produce and can grow on poor quality land which eliminates competition with food crops. Projects will initially be funded for up to three years. 

A breakdown of the research awards:

• USDA-ARS Northern Plains Area (Lincoln, NE), $1,182,000
• USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center (Albany, CA), $1,300,000
• University of Georgia (Athens, GA), $1,200,000
• University of Georgia (Athens, GA), $705,000
• Michigan Technological University (Houghton, MI), $900,000
• University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), $643,000
• University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE), $390,000

More information about biofuels from Energy Secretary Steven Chu: