The Energy Department plans to award up to $90 million in funds to support the construction of biorefineries as part of the White House’s carbon emission reduction efforts.
DOE said Friday it will make the award under the Project Development for Pilot and Demonstration Scale Manufacturing of Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Biopower program.
The program aims to support the establishment of bioenergy facilities that will work to turn domestic biomass feedstocks into diesel, gasoline, plastics and chemicals through the integration of pretreatment processes and convergence platforms.
“The domestic bio-industry could play an important part in the growing clean energy economy and in reducing American dependence on imported oil,†said Lynn Orr, DOE undersecretary for science and energy.
“This funding opportunity will support companies that are working to advance current technologies and help them overcome existing challenges in bioenergy so the industry can meet its full potential,” Orr added.
DOE said it aims to set up more than three commercial plants in the next 12 years through the funding opportunity.
