And the money keeps a coming. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the joint selection of awards of up to $6.3 million towards fundamental genomics-enabled research leading to the improved use of plant feedstocks or biofuel production. The seven projects announced came after the end of the green jobs and renewable energy Rural Tour event which took place last weekend in Virgina. The goal of these investments is to further the Obama Administration’s efforts to broaden the nation’s energy portfolio while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
Vilsack said, “Helping expand and diversify production of biofuels is an example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to developing a sustainable domestic biofuels industry that can help strengthen rural America while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.”
Chu added, “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.”
These grants will be awarded under a joint DOE-USDA program begun in 2006; the DOE will provide $4 million in funding for four projects, while USDA will award $2.3 million to fund three projects. Initial funding will support research projects for up to three years.
Awards recipients include:
- • 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
Click here for more information on the individual projects and the DOE-USDA biomass genomics research program.