Obama admin provides $12.6M for breeding plants for energy
Source: Amanda Peterka, E&E reporter • Posted: Monday, July 21, 2014
The departments of Energy and Agriculture yesterday announced funding for 10 projects aimed at genetically breeding plants for bioenergy.
The awards will advance research to improve bioenergy sorghum, discover how poplar trees respond to changes in the length of the day and nutrients available, and explore how switchgrass adapts to cold weather, among other projects.
The awards in nine states are administered through a joint DOE-USDA program on biomass genomics and total $12.6 million. DOE will provide $10.6 million over the next three years, while USDA will contribute $2 million.
“This advanced research is helping us to lay the groundwork for biomass as an important part of the low-carbon future,” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a statement.