News

May 5, 2009

Nearly $800 Million in Funding to Accelerate Biofuels Research and Commercialization

U.S. Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, announced plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects. The $786.5 million in Recovery Act funding is a mix of new funding opportunities and additional funding for existing projects. It will be allocated across four main areas: $480 million solicitation for integrated pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries with an estimated 10 to 20 awards for refineries at various scales and designs; $176.5 million for commercial-scale biorefinery projects; $110 million for fundamental research in key program areas of the Biomass Program; and, $20 million for ethanol research. For more information on these and other Recovery Act related funding opportunities, visit energy.gov/recovery. Please click here to view the full press release from EERE.

President Obama Issues Presidential Directive to USDA to Expand Access to Biofuels

President Obama issued a presidential directive to USDA Secretary Vilsack to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production of biofuels, including helping to lead an unprecedented interagency effort. The Biofuels Interagency Working Group will develop the nation's first comprehensive biofuels market development program and work to develop policies to increase flexible fuel vehicle production and assist in retail marketing efforts.

"President Obama's announcement today demonstrates his deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America," said Vilsack. "Expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil - one of the great challenges of the 21st century."

For additional detail, please click here to view the full USDA press release.