USDA Research Grants to help develop advanced biofuel crops.
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Press Release Summary:
BIO thanked USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for announcing grants that will support research on sustainably grown energy crops as well as conversion of existing infrastructure to biorefineries for advanced biofuels and aviation biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products. As stated by BIO's Brent Erickson, 5-year research and development grants will support public/private sector partners in 22 states while helping grow integrated supply chain of renewable biomass for biorefineries.
Original Press Release:
USDA Research Grants Will Help Develop Next Generation Crops for Advanced Biofuels
WASHINGTON--Creating a biomass supply chain is vital to the development of bioenergy and advanced biofuels and can bring hundreds of thousands of jobs and millions in economic development to rural areas across the United States. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today thanked USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for announcing grants that will support research on sustainably grown energy crops and the conversion of existing infrastructure to biorefineries for advanced biofuels and aviation biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products.
Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO's Industrial & Environmental Section, stated, "U.S. advanced biofuel production could create hundreds of thousands of jobs for researchers, plant operators, and construction workers by 2022. The rapid growth of renewable chemicals and biobased products has already created tens of thousands of jobs in a few short years. Growing the biomass needed for these biorefineries can produce 700,000 jobs and $88.5 billion in economic activity, primarily in rural areas where economic development is greatly needed. Importantly, the five-year research and development grants announced today by Secretary Tom Vilsack will support public and private sector partners in 22 states, while helping to grow an integrated supply chain of renewable biomass for biorefineries. The growth of a complete value chain of biomass and biorefineries requires coordinated support for both continued research and development and early commercialization. The benefits of sustained, consistent federal policy will be widespread. Advanced biorefineries can be built anywhere in the U.S. to take advantage of local resources and feedstocks and deliver products to local markets, while creating local jobs."
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech NOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling "innovations transforming our world." Subscribe to BIOtech NOW.
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