U.S. to fund biofuels research

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced plans Tuesday to provide nearly $800 million in biofuels research and commercialization funding.

The money is designed to stimulate research leading to the increased use of domestic renewable fuels.

Chu said his department plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to, among other things, provide additional support for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects.

"Developing the next generation of biofuels is key to our effort to end our dependence on foreign oil and address the climate crisis -- while creating millions of new jobs that can't be outsourced," Chu said. "With American investment and ingenuity -- and resources grown right here at home -- we can lead the way toward a new green energy economy."

The biomass program will leverage the Energy Department's national laboratories, along with universities and the private sector, to help improve biofuels reliability and overcome key technical challenges, with the goal of creating third-generation biofuels such as green gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.

Department officials said they anticipate making 10 to 20 awards for refineries at various scales and designs, all to be operational within three years.