In another sign of the promise that biofuels hold for the future, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced four projects that will significantly move forward research and development of advanced enzymes necessary for producing cost-effective cellulosic biofuels.
Four projects by members of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) received DOE matching grants totaling $33.8 million to develop cost-efficient enzymes for cellulosic biofuel production by 2012. These enzymes will be instrumental in fulfilling the renewable fuel standard put forward in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
"The biofuels industry has taken off," said Brent Erickson, executive vice president at BIO.
"There are already 21 cellulosic biorefineries planned or under construction throughout the United States. Ongoing research and development in enzymes and other biorefinery processes is critical to rapidly building advanced biofuel production capacity. This production will not only provide long-term environmental benefits by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, but also help liberate the U.S. from its dependence on petroleum."
