Energy Department and U.S.D.A. Declare Bioenergy Plans in Ten States

The Energy Department and the U.S.D.A. (USDA) on July 17 announced the selection of ten plans that will gain backing aimed at accelerating genetic breeding programs to enhance plant feedstocks for the production of biofuels, biopower, and bio-based products. The plans are located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Virginia. DOE's Office of Science will provide $10.6 million in backing for 8 projects, while USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture will award $2 million to 2 projects. Initial backing will support research plans for up to 3 years.

The $12.6 million in research grants are being awarded under a joint Energy Department-USDA plan that began in 2006 focused on fundamental investigations of biomass genomics, with the aim of harnessing nonfood plant biomass for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Dedicated feedstock crops tend to require less-intensive production practices and can grow on poorer-quality land than food crops, making this a critical element in a strategy of sustainable biofuels production that avoids competition with crops grown for food. See the Energy Department news release and the complete list of plans.

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