Biofuels Still in the Spotlight: $6.3M for Biofuels Research
Last week, U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA") Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the winning candidates for up to $6.3 million in awards for research leading to improved use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production. The seven projects announced follow the green jobs and renewable energy Rural Tour event hosted by the two cabinet Secretaries in Virginia on the weekend of July 18-19. These investments are intended to further the Obama Administration’s efforts to broaden the nation’s energy portfolio while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
These grants will be awarded under a joint DOE-USDA program begun in 2006 that is committed to fundamental research in biomass genomics, providing the scientific foundation to facilitate use of lignocellulosic materials for bioenergy and biofuels. Since lignocellulosic crop plants are less intensive to produce and can grow on poorer quality land, competition with crops grown for food production is avoided. For more information on these awards, go to DOE's site for the DOE-USDA biomass genomics research program.
DOE will provide $4 million in funding for four projects, while USDA will award $2.3 million to fund three projects. Initial funding will support research projects for up to three years.
Perhaps the most amazing fact from this announcement is that Secretary Chu is on facebook! How does he find the time? This attorney is impressed. Check out his video announcement on next generation biofuels here.
Algal Fuels Developments
The recent blog posting (available here) regarding Exxon's $600 million investment in biofuels served as a reminder to me that comments are due soon (August 3, 2009) on the Department of Energy's draft "National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap" (the "Roadmap").
The Roadmap was prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. The working group was commissioned to assess the current state of algae technology and to determine the next steps toward commercialization. For more information, see my earlier blog.
To submit comments, complete the "Algal Road-Mapping: Request for Information (RFI) Response Form" and submit it as an attachment to an e-mail message addressed to algaeRFI@go.doe.gov
Further, Gary Hunt has reported (available here) that Prize Capital, LLC has issued a $10 million algae fuel prize to encourage the development of advanced algal fuels. For more information about this contest, click here.
Show me the Money: Mandatory Registrations to be Eligible for Stimulus Funding
In general, parties that are considering applying for Stimulus Act funding for their project must preregister at the following websites:
- Applicants must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System number (DUNS)
DUNS website: http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/ - Applicants must register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
CCR website: http://www.ccr.gov/ - Applicants must register with FedConnect to submit their application.
FedConnect website: www.fedconnect.net
Numerous parties have reported that these websites may take several days to process registration requests. As such, I recommend that you register immediately if you are considering federal funding as a component of your project.
If you have trouble completing your registration in time for an application deadline, please use the following phone numbers to inquire about your registration status:
- DUNS Customer Assistance: 1-800-234-3867
- CCR Assistance Center: 1-888-227-2423
- FedConnect Support: 1-800-899-6665
