“This is an important step toward our goal of replacing 30
percent of transportation fuels with biofuels by 2030,”
Secretary Bodman said. “The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct)
calls for the creation of new programs to improve the technology
and reduce the cost of biofuels production. The mission of these
centers is to accelerate research that leads to breakthroughs in
basic science to make biofuels a cost-effective alternative to
fossil fuels.” Four billion gallons of ethanol were produced
this year, mainly from corn. EPAct requires that by 2012, at
least 7.5 billion gallons per year of renewable fuel be blended
into the nation’s fuel supply. To meet these goals, future
biofuels production will require the use of more diverse
feedstocks including cellulosic material such as agricultural
residues, grasses and other inedible plants. Universities,
national laboratories, nonprofit organizations and private firms
are eligible to compete for an award to establish and operate a
center. Awards, based on evaluation b