The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will award funds to 10 states to fast-track research projects designed to improve plant feedstocks for the production of bioenergy. The development of new clean energy technologies will decrease dependence on foreign oil, secure the future of America’s energy needs and enhance rural economies.
Nonfood plant biomass is used in 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, according to USDA.
The $12.6 million in research grants will be awarded to projects located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Texas and Virginia.
For more information regarding the Plant Feedstocks Genomics for Bioenergy research program, visit http://genomicscience.energy.gov/research/DOEUSDA/index.shtml.