April 24, 2008
DOE Responds to TIME Magazine's Criticism of Ethanol
In the April 28 issue of TIME magazine, Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer rebutted the magazine's recent article about the use and development of ethanol. In their response, the Secretaries noted that second and third generation biofuels have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases, and that modern agriculture has the capacity to manage land use responsibly—balancing our nation's needs for both fuel and food. More
April 23, 2008
DOE to Offer $10 Billion in Renewable, Efficiency Loan Guarantees
DOE will issue a solicitation in June offering up to $10 billion in loan guarantees for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric transmission projects. But DOE wants input before then about which technologies to support. Responses to DOE's Request for Information are due by May 2. More
April 23, 2008
DOE Offers $7 Million for Biomass Pyrolysis Research
DOE is offering up to $7 million over the next 2 years to support research into improved methods of biomass pyrolysis. More
April 23, 2008
Oklahoma set to plant first-ever 1,000 acre switchgrass field
The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC), a state-initiative championed by Gov. Brad Henry, secured land to enable the planting of more than 1,100 acres of production-scale demonstration fields for cellulosic energy crops, such as switchgrass and sorghum to contribute to the United States’ bioenergy effort. Planting will take place within the next 45 days. More
April 21, 2008
Biomass 2008: Fueling our Future Conference Considers Federal Strategy for Sustainability, Collaboration
The Department of Energy's Biomass 2008: Fueling our Future conference was held April 17-18, 2008. In-depth discussions of current biofuels issues throughout the event were augmented by Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) highlighting the Department's support for cellulosic biorefining to achieve national goals for environmentally- conscious energy security. More
April 18, 2008
Three New Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefineries to Receive $86 Million in Funding
DOE announced on April 18 that it will invest $86 million over the next four years into three cellulosic ethanol biorefineries, located in Washington County, Kentucky, Old Town, Maine, and Vonore, Tennessee. More
April 17, 2008
Argonne National Laboratory Analysis Shows Decline in Energy Used by Ethanol Industry
During November 2007 and January 2008, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) processed and analyzed a statistical survey of the ethanol industry based on data provided by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) under a non-disclosure agreement. Twenty- two facilities responded to the survey, representing 37 percent of 2006 ethanol production. The analysis compared 2006 facility information to 2001 data from a U.S. Department of Agriculture ethanol plant survey. Based on survey data, the findings show, among other results, reduced energy and water use in the production of ethanol. More
April 15, 2008
Department of Energy Publishes Report on Switchgrass as an Energy Crop
The Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Selected as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop examines prior work with various perennial herbaceous species, and describes the process by which switchgrass was selected as an ideal subject for further energy crop development. More
April 11, 2008
DOE Announces up to $4 Million for University Research into Advanced Biomass Conversion
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Under Secretary Clarence “Bud” Albright today announced up to $4 million in funding available to U.S. universities for research and development of cost-effective, environmentally friendly biomass conversion technologies. More
February 27, 2008
DOE to Invest $34 Million in Enzymes for Cellulosic Ethanol Production
DOE has selected four projects to develop the enzymes needed to break down cellulosic biomass into sugars that can be fermented into ethanol fuel. Cellulosic biomass includes a wide variety of non-edible plant materials, such as corn stover, straws, sawdust, paper pulp, and switchgrass. More