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U.S. announces funding for biomass research and development initiative

To support President Obama’s goal of reducing America’s oil imports by one-third by 2025, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) jointly announced up to $30 million over three to four years that will support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products.

The projects funded through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) will help create a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass and increase the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products.

“These projects will help to reduce America’s dependence on imported oil by accelerating the development and commercialization of cleaner, alternative fuels that can power our vehicles and our industry,” said U.S Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “Producing renewable fuels from biomass right here in the United States will improve our nation’s energy security and give us an innovative edge in the global market for clean energy technologies.”

For fiscal year 2011, applicants seeking BRDI funding must propose projects that integrate science and engineering research in three technical areas: feedstock development, biofuels and biobased product development, and biofuels development analysis.

For more information on DOE’s Biomass Program, please visit the Biomass Program website.