U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Biomass Program

Recovery Act

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) presents opportunities for the advancement of biomass technologies. Signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, the Recovery Act is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and focus on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the twenty-first century.

Recovery Act Funding for Biomass Projects

DOE Announces Recovery Act Funding of up to $5.5 million for Ethanol Blends Infrastructure and Outreach August 5, 2009
As part of the ongoing effort to support the development of domestic renewable fuels, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the availability of up to $5.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to increase the use of higher ethanol blends up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline) by expanding refueling infrastructure and launching targeted outreach to promote public awareness.

DOE Announces Recovery Act Funding of up to $85 million for Algal and Advanced Biofuels July 16, 2009
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the availability of up to $85 mllion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the development of algae-based biofuels and advanced, infrastructure-compatible biofuels.

DOE to Invest $786.5 million in Recovery Act Funds in Biofuels May 6, 2009
President Barack Obama announced on May 5 that DOE plans to invest $786.5 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for biorefinery demonstration projects.

President Obama Takes Action to Advance Biofuels Production May 6, 2009
President Barack Obama announced on May 5 that his administration is taking several steps to advance biofuels research and commercialization. The president signed a Presidential Directive to help preserve biofuel industry jobs and to establish the Biofuels Interagency Working Group, which will develop the nation's first comprehensive program for growing the biofuels market.

Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $800 Million from Recovery Act to Accelerate Biofuels Research and Commercialization May 5, 2009
As part of the ongoing effort to increase the use of domestic renewable fuels, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today announced plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects.

Recovery Act Financial Opportunities for Biomass Projects

Recovery Act Expansion of Ethanol Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) through the Office of the Biomass Program announces a notice of funding of up to $5.5 million for efforts to enhance the availability and use of potential gasoline/ethanol blends up to E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline) through two topic areas: Refueling Infrastructure for Ethanol Blends, and Outreach for Ethanol Blends.

Recovery Act Development of Algal/Advanced Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) through the Office of the Biomass Program announces a notice of funding of up to $85 million for establishing Consortia for two primary topic areas: the development of Algae-Based Biofuels, and the development of Advanced Cellulosic Biofuels.

Recovery Act Demonstration of Integrated Biorefinery Operations
DOE's Office of the Biomass Program (OBP) has made a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) with a total funding estimate of up to $480 million to select integrated biorefinery projects that have the necessary technical and economic performance data that validates their readiness for the next level of scale-up. In general, integrated biorefineries employ various combinations of feedstocks and conversion technologies to produce a variety of products, with the main focus on producing biofuels and bioproducts. Co- or by-products can include additional fuels, chemicals (or other materials), and heat and power.

Learn More

If you have questions about the Recovery Act and the funding it allotted to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, please contact the EERE Information Center. To learn more about the Recovery act, visit the following sites:

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