USDA announces funding, changes to biofuels program
José Otero-García, USDA Rural Development state director for Puerto Rico. (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for funding under a program that supports the production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased product manufacturing, agency Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
“This critical financing will enhance our efforts to build a robust, rural bioeconomy by helping to expand the availability of biobased products and to increase the number of commercial-scale biorefineries in the country,” Vilsack said.
“In addition to the available funding, I am proud to announce that USDA has significantly improved the biorefinery program to help create lasting job opportunities in rural America,” he added.
USDA is making the funding available through the Biorefinery, Renewable and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.
José Otero-García, USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico, said the new program provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million to build and retrofit commercial-scale biorefineries and to develop renewable chemical and biobased product manufacturing facilities.
Two funding cycles are being held. Applications for round one are due Oct. 1, 2015. Applications for the second round are due April 1, 2016. For information on how to apply, see page 38432 of July 6, 2015 of the Federal Register.
