DOE Announces Up to $7 Million for Biomass Research

On April 17, the Department of Energy announced the availability of up to $7 million dollars in federal funding over two years (FY08- FY09) for research and development into advanced conversion technologies for creating clean liquid fuels from renewable biomass. This funding will be targeted towards those projects involving the creation of bio-oil or other liquid fuels through pyrolysis – a process that breaks down the complex cellular and molecular structure of biomass in a high temperature, low oxygen environment. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide a minimum of 20 percent cost share from private sources. Applications are due May 29, 2008. DOE expects to make 5 - 7 awards under this solicitation. More information is available at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/business.html or www.grants.gov.

DOE Release: http://www.doe.gov/news/6161.htm

Secretary Bodman Speaks at Biomass 2008

On April 18, Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman addressed the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Biomass 2008 Conference. Secretary Bodman reinforced the administration’s energy goals, including diversification of energy sources, promotion of clean energy technologies, and the reduction of gasoline consumption by 20 percent by 2017. Since the beginning of 2007, DOE has announced investments of over $1 billion for the accelerated development of biofuel technologies. In his speech, Secretary Bodman highlighted two recent announcements:

On April 18, DOE announced the selection of three small-scale cellulosic biorefineries to receive $86 million dollars in federal funding. The three facilities – in Maine, Tennessee, and Kentucky – were chosen for pioneering innovative technologies for the production of liquid fuels and other co-products using a variety of cellulosic feedstocks. Small-scale facilities are 10% of commercial size and will be used to demonstrate new technologies and provide the data necessary to inform the development of full-scale commercial operations. The three companies selected for funding are RSE Pulp & Chemical (Old Town, ME), Mascoma Corporation (Boston, MA), and Ecofin, LLC (Nicholasville, KY). These three awards follow an initial round of four awards announced earlier this year, bringing total funding for this program to $200 million dollars.

On April 11, DOE released a funding notice of $4 million for university-based research and development projects focusing on the production of cost-effective, sustainable biofuels. Eligible projects seek to improve conversion efficiency, increase yields, and lower production costs of advanced biofuels through thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical processes. All projects are subject to a minimum 20% university cost share. Applications are due June 2, 2008. DOE expects to provide 12 awards under the announcement. More information can be found at www.grants.gov.

Secretary Bodman’s Speech is available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6165.htm

DOE Release (small-scale biorefinery grants): http://www.doe.gov/news/6164.htm
DOE Release (university grants): http://www.energy.gov/news/6153.htm

Link to this EESI Release (.PDF)

If you have questions, please contact Jetta Wong at jwong [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1885.