DOE
Announces $160 Million for Biorefinery Construction
January 31, 2006 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS BY THE
PRESIDENT
http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/index.html
Keeping America
competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious
problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from
unstable parts of the world. The best way to
break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly
$10 billion to develop cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable
alternative energy sources -- and we are on the threshold of
incredible advances.
So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22-percent increase in
clean-energy research -- at the Department of Energy, to push for
breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our
homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission
coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and
clean, safe nuclear energy. (Applause.)
We must also change how we power our automobiles. We will
increase our research in better batteries for hybrid and
electric cars,
and in pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen. We'll also fund additional
research in cutting-edge methods of producing ethanol, not just from corn, but from
wood chips and stalks, or switch grass. Our goal is to make this new
kind of ethanol practical and competitive within six years.
(Applause.)
Breakthroughs on this and other new technologies will help us
reach another great goal: to replace more than 75 percent of our
oil imports from the Middle East by 2025. (Applause.) By applying
the talent and technology of America, this country can
dramatically improve our environment, move beyond a
petroleum-based economy, and make our dependence on Middle
Eastern oil a thing of the past. (Applause.)
And to keep America competitive, one commitment is necessary
above all: We must continue to lead the world in human talent and
creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been
our educated, hardworking, ambitious people -- and we're going to
keep that edge. Tonight I announce an American
Competitiveness Initiative, to encourage innovation
throughout our economy, and to give our nation's children a firm
grounding in math and science. (Applause.)
First, I propose to double the federal commitment to the most
critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over
the next 10 years. This funding will support the work of
America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas
such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy
sources.
Second, I propose to make permanent the research and development
tax credit -- (applause) -- to encourage bolder private-sector
initiatives in technology. With more research in both the public
and private sectors, we will improve our quality of life -- and
ensure that America will lead the world in opportunity and
innovation for decades to come. (Applause.)
Third, we need to encourage children to take more math and
science, and to make sure those courses are rigorous enough to
compete with other nations. We've made a good start in the early
grades with the No Child Left Behind Act, which is raising
standards and lifting test scores across our country. Tonight I
propose to train 70,000 high school teachers to lead
advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math
and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early
help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better
chance at good, high-wage jobs. If we ensure that America's
children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds
in the world. (Applause.)
Preparing our nation to compete in the world is a goal that all
of us can share. I urge you to support the American
Competitiveness Initiative, and together we will show the world
what the American people can achieve.
http://www.switchgrass.nl/index.htm
Switchgrass is a native of North America
where it occurs naturally from 55º
N latitude to
deep into Mexico, mostly as a prairie grass. In North America
it has long been used for soil conservation and as a fodder
crop. Both in America and Europe it can be found as an
ornamental plant. The grass is also found in South America
and Africa where it is used as a forage crop. Switchgrass is
a perennial C4 grass propagated by seed that can be
established at low cost and risc and requires very low inputs
while giving high biomass yields even on marginal soils.
Since the early 1990s the crop has been developed as a
model herbaceous energy crop for ethanol and electricity
production
in the USA and in Canada and it is also being considered as a
paper pulp production feedstock.
February 22, 2006 DOE
DOE Announces $160 Million for Biorefinery Construction and
Highlights New Agricultural Program to Promote Biofuels
Funding Paves the Way for Diversifying America's Energy Mix
Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman, today announced $160 million in
cost-shared funding over
three years to construct up to three biorefineries in the United
States. The Secretary made the announcement while visiting the
Archer Daniels Midland Ethanol Plant, his second of four stops to
promote the Advanced
Energy Initiative
announced by President Bush in his State of the Union address.
Secretary Bodman also highlighted the United States Department of
Agriculture's announcement today of almost $188 million in loan
guarantees and grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency
projects.
“This
funding will support a much-needed step in the development of
biofuels and renewable energy programs,”
Secretary Bodman
said. “Partnerships with industry like
these will lead to new innovation and discovery that will usher
in an era of reduced dependence on foreign sources of oil, while
strengthening our economy at home.”
The $160 million
solicitation is part of President Bush's Biofuels Initiative
which will lead to the use of non-food based biomass, such as
agricultural waste, trees, forest residues, and perennial grasses
in the production of transportation fuels, electricity, and other
products. One of the goals of this initiative is to accelerate
research and make “cellulosic ethanol” cost-competitive by 2012, offering the potential
to displace up to 30 percent of our nation's current fuel use by
2030. The goal of the solicitation announced today is to
demonstrate that commercial biorefineries can be profitable once
initial construction costs are paid. There is a $100,000,000 cap
on any single-demonstration award, and projects are required to
show a 60/40 (industry/government) cost share.
Secretary Bodman also highlighted Agriculture Secretary Mike
Johanns's announcement today in Las Vegas, of $176.5 million
available in loan guarantees and almost $11.4 million in grants
to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency
improvements
by agricultural producers and small businesses. For more
information on the Department of Agriculture's nearly $188
million in loan guarantees and grants for renewable energy and
energy efficiency projects, visit:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
In his State of the Union Address, President Bush announced two
key, energy-related initiatives. President Bush's Advanced Energy
Initiative requests $2.1 billion, a 22 percent budget increase,
to develop new technologies and alternative sources of energy to
help diversify and strengthen our nation's energy mix. The
American Competitiveness Initiative is a multi-agency commitment
to ensure that America remains competitive in the global
marketplace. Its $5.9 billion investment in Fiscal Year 2007 puts
America's science budget on the path to doubling over the next
ten years. Funding would increase investments in research and
development, strengthen education in math and science, and
encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
As part of the Bush Administration's broader effort to promote
production and use of alternative and renewable sources of
energy, Administration officials are traveling the country to
promote President Bush's energy initiatives. Energy Secretary
Bodman will make a total of four stops around the country this
week, promoting the Advanced Energy and American Competitiveness
Initiatives, in addition to highlighting a number of energy
efficiency programs, notably biomass (including cellulosic
ethanol), solar, and hydrogen. Earlier today, Secretary Bodman
met with students and teachers at the Thomas Jefferson National
Accelerator National Laboratory in Newport News, Virginia, to
discuss the importance of science and math education.
Tomorrow, February 23, 2006, Secretary Bodman will visit GT Solar
Manufacturing Company in Merrimack, New Hampshire to promote the Solar American
Initiative and
to highlight solar tax credits made available as a result of the
recently enacted Energy Policy Act. Also tomorrow, Secretary
Bodman will visit General Motors Advanced Technologies Facility
in Honeoye Falls, New York, to promote the Advanced Energy
Initiative.
Also this week, DOE Assistant Secretary Karen Harbert will visit
green manufacturer Steelcase in Grand Rapids, and provide remarks
at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, in
Muskegon, Michigan; Assistant Secretary Jeff Jarrett will visit
the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, West
Virginia; and Assistant Secretary John Shaw will deliver remarks
at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Acting
Assistant Secretary Doug Faulkner will make two stops, the first
to deliver remarks at a biofuels conference in Auburn Alabama,
the second to deliver remarks at the Gerdau Ameristeel Steel Mill
Energy Savings Assessment in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.