Secretary Bodman Speaks at Biomass 2008

On April 18, Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman addressed the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Biomass 2008 Conference. Secretary Bodman reinforced the administration’s energy goals, including diversification of energy sources, promotion of clean energy technologies, and the reduction of gasoline consumption by 20 percent by 2017. Since the beginning of 2007, DOE has announced investments of over $1 billion for the accelerated development of biofuel technologies. In his speech, Secretary Bodman highlighted two recent announcements:

On April 18, DOE announced the selection of three small-scale cellulosic biorefineries to receive $86 million dollars in federal funding. The three facilities – in Maine, Tennessee, and Kentucky – were chosen for pioneering innovative technologies for the production of liquid fuels and other co-products using a variety of cellulosic feedstocks. Small-scale facilities are 10% of commercial size and will be used to demonstrate new technologies and provide the data necessary to inform the development of full-scale commercial operations. The three companies selected for funding are RSE Pulp & Chemical (Old Town, ME), Mascoma Corporation (Boston, MA), and Ecofin, LLC (Nicholasville, KY). These three awards follow an initial round of four awards announced earlier this year, bringing total funding for this program to $200 million dollars.

On April 11, DOE released a funding notice of $4 million for university-based research and development projects focusing on the production of cost-effective, sustainable biofuels. Eligible projects seek to improve conversion efficiency, increase yields, and lower production costs of advanced biofuels through thermochemical, biochemical, and chemical processes. All projects are subject to a minimum 20% university cost share. Applications are due June 2, 2008. DOE expects to provide 12 awards under the announcement. More information can be found at www.grants.gov.

Secretary Bodman’s Speech is available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6165.htm

DOE Release (small-scale biorefinery grants): http://www.doe.gov/news/6164.htm

DOE Release (university grants): http://www.energy.gov/news/6153.htm

If you have questions, please email or call EESI at bioenergy [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1885.