The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday announced more than $100 million in funding to expand U.S. biofuel production as the Biden administration works to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions and meet climate targets, the department told Reuters.

The department plans to grant $118 million to 17 projects aimed at accelerating the production of biofuels, which can be made from biomass, including agricultural waste, soybean oil and animal fats. The funds add up to the more than $500 million the DOE has invested in bioenergy and biorefinery research and development over the past two years, the department said.

President Joe Biden has made it a fundamental principle of his mandate to put the United States on the right track to reduce carbon emissions in the fight against climate change. Biden set a zero net emissions target by 2050.

DOE funding includes awards for universities and private companies ranging from $500,000 to $80 million for various pre-pilot, pilot and demonstration projects, the department said. Projects are expected to eventually create millions of gallons of low-carbon fuel annually. "DOE investments are helping to build a domestic bioenergy supply chain that increases America's energy independence, creates jobs, and accelerates the adoption of cleaner fuels for our transportation needs," said U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm. The projects will create jobs in nine states, the DOE added.

About 16.8 billion gallons of biofuels were consumed in the United States by 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This compared to about 134.83 billion gallons of gasoline for engines consumed in the same year.

Source: Agrolink