USDA investing in bioenergyThe USDA will invest $10 million in research grants to drive production of bioenergy and bio-based products. The research is intended to lead to the development of sustainable regional systems and jobs. Further, producing clean energy in the U.S. will loosen dependence on foreign oil and give rural communities the injection they need to boost their economies. The research projects will lead to the implementation of sustainable regional systems that materially deliver liquid transportation biofuels to help meet the Energy Independence and Security Act goal of 36 billion gallons per year of biofuels by 2022. The projects focus on four areas: policy options for and impacts on regional biofuels production systems; impacts of regional bioenergy feedstock production systems on wildlife and pollinators; socioeconomic impacts of biofuels on rural communities; and environmental implications of direct and indirect land use change. |