DOE invests in six biofuels projects

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy announced its selection of six biofuels projects in which the department will invest up to $4.4 million.

The awards are to support research and development of cost-effective, environmentally friendly biomass conversion technologies for turning non-food feedstocks into advanced biofuels.

Combined with the minimum university cost share of 20 percent, more than $5.7 million is slated for investment in the six projects.

The universities selected for awards were the University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio; Steven's Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J.; Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont; the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.; the University of Maine, Orono, Maine; and the Georgia Tech Research Corp., Atlanta.

Department officials cautioned the announced investment in the advanced biofuels projects is subject to annual appropriations.