September Feature

September 2005

Biomass Provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005

On August 8, 2005 President Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct). Included in this Act, along with numerous incentives for the energy industry, are authorizations of activities specifically aimed at improving biomass technologies and increasing the amount of biopower, biofuels, and bioproducts used in the U.S. EPAct 2005 calls for a number of research and demonstration programs, as well as analyses and promotion activities to support biomass technologies. Responsible agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Science Foundation and others. This article briefly reviews EPAct 2005 as it relates to biomass.

National Biomass Initiative
Through EPAct 2005, Congress made significant changes to the Biomass R&D Act of 2000. It provides specific guidance on awards made under the Initiative. The technical areas are now focused on advanced feedstock production and harvesting, overcoming recalcitrance of cellulosic biomass, the diversification of biobased products from a biorefinery, and analysis that provides strategic guidance for biomass technologies. EPAct has increased the authorization of funding from $54 million to $200 million and includes guidance for the distribution of projects funded through the Initiative. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy is required to update the Vision and Roadmap documents.

Research & Development
EPAct requires DOE to carry out projects relating to hydrogen, renewable energy, and bioenergy. Under an R&D program for the production of hydrogen, EPAct calls for projects which address the production of hydrogen from biomass and biofuels. In the area of renewable energy research, DOE shall conduct projects which look at the renewable energy technologies that help to foster cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity. Through DOE's Office of Science, EPAct calls for integrated bioenergy research and development which is required to be coordinated with the National Science Foundation. More broadly, a program for bioenergy is to be conducted. One area of research includes biorefineries for which proposals for integrated biorefinery demonstration projects should be solicited in six months or less.

Grants
EPAct calls for a number of grant programs to be initiated by USDA, EPA, and DOE for bioproduct marketing, demonstrations, clean school buses, and the production of ethanol. Through USDA, grants should be made available to promote the growth and development of the bioeconomy, demonstration of pre-processing of feedstocks and efficient harvesting techniques, and for the marketing and certification of biobased products. In an RFG State with low ethanol production, grants from EPA can be used for renewable fuel production technologies. Also through EPA, grants can be awarded for programs which replace or retrofit school buses to use ethanol and biodiesel. Through DOE, a number of grant programs are to be available for:

Rural and remote communities using biomass, landfill gas, and livestock methane,
Facilities producing electricity, heat, or fuels from forest thinnings,
Acquisition of alternative fuels vehicles for use at public airports,
Creating valuable products from local, renewable biomass resources, and
Producers of cellulosic biomass ethanol.

Demonstrations & Outreach
One of the main themes of EPAct is the call for biomass technology demonstrations. At EPA, an "Advanced Biofuel Technologies Program" is to be established to demonstrate advanced technologies for the production of alternative fuels. DOE is required to establish programs which demonstrate renewable technologies in buildings, hydrogen reformed from agricultural fuels, and distributed generation using renewable sources. Additionally, DOE will fund projects which identify the optimum technology among alternative technologies and test biodiesel in advanced diesel engines. Along with the demonstration projects, USDA is to establish a program of education and outreach on biobased fuels and biobased products.

Assessments, Surveys, and Reports
A number of assessments and reports are required to be submitted to Congress in the upcoming years, including:

A yearly report from EPA on the market shares of gasoline containing ethanol.
A report from DOE on the potential for biodiesel to be a major, sustainable alternative fuel.
Reports on the economic potential of biomass in the U.S. and economic indicators of the biobased economy, from USDA.
A DOE assessment of renewable energy resources.
A yearly report from DOE detailing costs to develop renewable resources, transmission barriers of renewable references, and renewable resource assessments.
A report detailing the effects on public health and feasibility of using substitutes for MTBE.

Incentives
EPAct calls for many incentives programs, including multiple changes to the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code. To reach the goal of producing the first one billion gallons of annual cellulosic biofuels production by 2015, an incentive program will be established at DOE for the production of cellulosic biofuels. Additionally, DOE may provide loan guarantees to carry out demonstration projects for cellulosic biomass, the construction of facilities for converting municipal solid waste (MSW) into ethanol and other byproducts, demonstration projects for ethanol derived from sugarcane and bagasse, and rebates for a renewable energy system connected to a house or small business. EPAct calls for credits for vehicles capable of operating on a renewable fuel, alternative refueling stations, and investments in gasification projects converting product from biomass.

Purchasing & Production Requirements
One of the most lauded sections of the EPAct contains a requirement that gasoline in the U.S. contain 4.0 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2006 and 8.0 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2012. Other requirements include:

The amount of electricity the Federal Government consumes must contain 3 percent renewable energy in 2007 and shall increase to 7.5 percent in 2013.
Dual fueled vehicles in Federal fleets shall operate on alternative fuels.
The Capitol Complex shall procure biobased products.

Through the availability of projects to demonstrate bioenergy production, grants for increased biomass use, Federal R&D programs to work toward developing the technology to make biomass processes feasible, and requirements for the use of biobased fuels, power, and products, the signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 should help to increase the use of biomass technologies across the U.S.

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State Spotlight: North Dakota

	In 2001, the state of North Dakota used approximately 638.3 trillion Btu of energy. The majority of this energy was supplied by coal at 67 percent and petroleum was the second most used energy source at about 21 percent. Natural gas accounted for 10 percent, and the state did not rely on any nuclear power sources. Slightly less than two percent of North Dakota's power needs were met by hydroelectric sources, while biomass accounted for 0.3 percent.¹
North Dakota could produce an estimated 30.6 billion kWh from its available biomass sources. That is enough electricity to power 3,061,000 average homes, or nine times the residential power needs of the state. Most of the available biomass is in the form of energy crops. These fast growing trees, shrubs, and grasses account for 16,758,000 dry tons per year in available biomass, followed by agricultural residues, which could annually supply 3,715,000 dry tons. Biomass from urban residues could contribute 544,000 dry tons per year, and forest and mill residues annually account for 22,000 and 4,000 dry tons respectively of available biomass.²
	Biomass projects are administered through the North Dakota Department of Commerce. While there are no Department of Energy sponsored biomass projects in North Dakota, there are two private ethanol plants that operate in the state and produce 34 million gallons of ethanol per year.³^,⁴ The Energy and Environment Research Center at the University of North Dakota has one of the most important biomass research facilities in the state.⁵
The state of North Dakota in April 2005 enacted legislation to provide a 20 cent per gallon of ethanol tax incentive to encourage biofuel use, and provides $3.25 million in incentives for new ethanol plants.⁶ The state's net metering program also applies to biomass. This legislation allows owners of systems less than 100 kW to sell excess power back to the grid.⁷
Data Sources: EIA and EERE Calculations for biomass Btus are estimated to be 12,000 Btu/kWh ¹ Energy Information Administration. Table 7: Energy Consumption Estimates by Source, 1960-2001, North Dakota. Available: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_use/total/use_tot_nd.html ²North Dakota Bioenergy Resources. Available:http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy/tech_biomass.cfm?state=ND ³Central Regional Office Partners. North Dakota. Available:http://www.eere.energy.gov/regions/central/north_dakota.html ⁴North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Renewable Energy Brochure. Available:http://www.agdepartment.com/RES/renewbrochure.pdf#search='north%20dakota%20biomass%20power%20plants ⁵Energy and Environmental Research Center. Facilities and Capabilities. Available:http://www.undeerc.org/centersofexcellence/biomass/facilities.asp ⁶Biomass Program. North Dakota Adopts Incentives for Wind, Hydrogen, Alternative Fuels. Available:http://www.eere.energy.gov/biomass/news_detail.html/news_id=9015 ⁷Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy. Available:http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map.cfm?State=ND&CurrentPageId=1

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On the Hill

No legislation for this month

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Grassroots

Top Renewable Energy Researcher Fuels the Ethanol Debate
Recently, there have been heated debates over the net energy and environmental benefits of ethanol as a substitute for gasoline in transportation fuels. Now, Michael Wang, a top government researcher and field expert, from Argonne National Laboratory, has presented the results of his research this week to the Ethanol Energy Open Forum, sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. Some key points from Mr. Wang's conclusion are:

Energy balance value alone is not meaningful in evaluating the benefit of ethanol or any other energy product. For proper evaluation, a product's energy balance must be compared with that of the product it replaces.
Compared to gasoline, any type of fuel ethanol substantially helps reduce fossil energy and petroleum use.
Ethanol produced from corn can achieve moderate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Ethanol produced from cellulosic plants, such as grass and weeds, can achieve much greater energy and greenhouse gas benefits.

http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/PDF/03_28_05ArgonneNatlLabEthanolStudy.pdf

New Development Produces Antifreeze from Biodiesel
A new process developed by the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) creates propylene glycol antifreeze that will meet every performance standard, and is made from domestic soybeans and is nontoxic. Galen Suppes, chief science officer of the MU-based Renewable Alternatives, developed a process for converting glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel, into propylene glycol, which can be used as nontoxic antifreeze for automobiles. According to Suppes, the process appears to be most profitable and affordable because the price of glycerin is quite low as a feedstock compared to propylene glycol, and since glycerin is a byproduct of biodiesel production cycle, the technology can also reduce the cost of biodiesel production by as much as $0.40 per gallon of biodiesel. On top of that the market for propylene glycol is already established with a billion pounds produced every year.

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=35527

Michigan: Ethanol Plant Set to Break Ground
The controversy over a proposed ethanol plant near Blissfield, Mich., appears to be over as plant officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony August 26. Officials at Great Lakes Ethanol LLC of Adrian said construction on the $80 million plant on 136 acres near Silberhorn and Cemetery roads in Riga Township near U.S. 223 will begin in September. The ceremony comes on the heels of proposed legislation introduced yesterday by Michigan House Democrats calling for all gasoline sold in Michigan to contain at least 10 percent ethanol in an effort to combat escalating fuel costs. "We didn't know anything about that; it would be a great boost to the market," Great Lakes Chairman Jeff Ehlert said. Mr. Ehlert and his partners have battled over a year with a group of Riga Township residents who are opposed to the plant for environmental and other reasons. In February, Great Lakes won a local referendum that could have killed the project.

http://www.biobased.org/list2.php?storyid=8146

Michigan: Greenville Station Focuses On Ethanol
GREENVILLE -- With the recent spike in the price of gasoline, corn and soybeans could supplant a new fuel source. That's what Petersen Oil & Propane hopes will happen sometime in the future. The Greenville business is in the process of constructing a renewable resource fuel center on M-91 just north of the city. "I don't think there's another facility like this in the state pushing for this like we are," said Petersen President Mike Petersen. "We're kind of stepping into uncharted territories."

http://www.biobased.org/list2.php?storyid=8136

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Marketplace

The Grain Prices graph shows the cost of soybeans, the main biodiesel feedstock, and corn, the main ethanol feedstock. The tables show actual grain prices, indicators which may affect gasoline prices, and the production of ethanol and MTBE.

Grain Prices	August 2004	August 2005	% Change
Corn	2.35	1.89	-20%
Soybean	6.83	6.09	-11%

Fuel Supply	August 2004	August 2005	% Change
Percent Refinery Utilization	95.7	94.8	-0.99%
Products - Finished Motor Gasoline (Million Barrels)	8831.3	8727.0	-1.18%
Stocks - Finished Motor Gasoline (Million Barrels)	136.1	127.4	-6.39%
Imports - Total Motor Gasoline (Million Barrels)	961.3	1163.8	21.07%

Oxygenate Production	June 2004	June 2005	% Change
Ethanol Production (Million Barrels)	222	249	10.84%
MTBE Production (Million Barrels)	144	151	4.64%

Data Sources:
U.S. DOE-Energy Information Administration, "Weekly Petroleum Status Report", "Monthly Oxygenate Report"
USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Agricultural Prices," "Grain Stocks"

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Events

September 7-9, 2005 Prague, Czech Republic	Green Power Central & Eastern Europe Organizer: Green Power Contact: Matthew Probyn Email: matthew.probyn@greenpowerconferences.com Tel.: +420 296 537 111 Website: www.greenpowerconferences.com
September 12-15 Jyväskylä Paviljonki, Finland	Bioenergy 2005 in Wood Industry - International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition Organizer: FINBIO Contact: Organizing Committee Chairman Prof. Dan Asplund Email: biowood2005@jsp.fi Tel: +358 - 14 - 4451 199 Website: www.finbioenergy.fi/bioenergy2005
September 13-15 Richmond, Virginia	Virginia Sustainable Future Summit Organizer: Environmental Solutions, Inc. Contact: Harry Gregori Email: Harry.Gregori@Envirsol.com Tel: (804) 740-5605 Website: www.envirsol.com
September 14-15 Detroit, Michigan	The North American Ethanol Industry at a Crossroads Organizer: IBC USA Conferences, Inc. - Energy Divison and Informa Economics Contact: Email: reg@ibcusa.com Tel: (508) 616.5550 Website: http://www.renewablefuelssummit.com/7002
September 18-21 Denver, Colorado	25th USAEE/IAEE Annual North American Conference Organizer: International Association for Energy Economics Contact: David Williams Email: usaee@usaee.org Tel: 216-464-2785 Website: www.iaee.org/en/conferences
September 19-21 Ghent, Belgium	Strategic Topics and Applications in Renewable Resources Renewable Resources and Biorefineries Organizer: Universitaet Ghent/GOM-West-Vlaanderen Contact: Lydie Van der Poorten Email: lydie.vanderpoorten@gomwvl.be Tel: + 32 - 50 - 36 71 31 Website: http://www.RRBConference.UGent.be
September 21-24 Manchester, England	RPA Biogas Conference: Energy from Biowaste Organizer: Renewable Power Association Contact: Lucy Powell Email: lpowell@r-p-a.org.uk Tel: +44 20 7747 1841 Website: http://www.r-p-a.org.uk/article_default_view.fcm?articleid=1161
September 22-25 Augusburg, Germany	IHE Wood Energy 2005 Organizer: erneuerbare energien Kommunikations- und Informationsservice GmbH Contact: Email: redaktion@energie-server.de Tel: +49 7121 30 16 - 0 Website: www.bioenergie.de
September 23-25 Fredericksburg, TX	Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair Organizer: Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association and Texas Solar Energy Society Email: Kathryn Houser Tel: (512) 326-3391 or 877-3ROUNDUP Website: http://www.TheRoundup.org
September 27-28, 2005 Danville & Dubois, Pennsylvania	Energy and Wood - A Sustainable Development Opportunity Organizer: SAF Pennsylvania Division Biomass Meeting Contact: Doug D'Amore Email: ddamore@state.pa.us Tel: (570) 923-6011 Website: www.cabinhill.com/bioenergy
October 5, 2005 Washington, DC	International Fuel Quality Center (IFQC) Biofuels Briefing Organizer: IFQC Contact: Dorothee Ward Email: dward@ifqc.org Tel: +32 (0)2 661 3080 Website: www.worldfuelsconferences.com/pdf/biofuels.pdf
October 5-7 La Coruña, Spain	Congress on Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control Organizer : University of La Coruna Contact : Mr. Yaomin Jin Email: jin@udc.es (or Kennes@udc.es) Tel: 34-981-167065 Website: http://www.udc.es/congresos/biotechniques2005/
October 6-9 Lons le Saunier, France	BOIS ENERGIE, World's First wood energy exhibition Organizer: ITEBE Contact: Paul Stuart Email: info@boisenergie.com Tel: +33 384 47 81 03 Website: http://www.itebe.fr
October 10-12 Atlanta, Georgia	Biofuels Workshop & Tradeshow Organizer: BBI International Contact: Anne Wester Email: awester@bbibiofuels.com Tel: 719-539-0300 Website: www.biofuelsworkshop.com
October 17 - 21 Palais des Congres, Paris, France	14th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition: Biomass for Energy, Industry and Climate Protection Organizer: ETA-Florence/WIP-Munich Contact: N/A Email: biomass.conf@etaflorence.it Tel: +39 055 5002174 or +49 89 720 12735 Website: http://www.conference-biomass.com/
October 17-18 Washington, DC	Renewable Energy in America: Phase II 2005 Organizer: American Council on Renewable Energy Contact: Roussell, Jodie Email: roussell@acore.org Tel: 202.429.2031 Website: www.acore.org
October 19-21 Richmond, British Columbia	6th Biennial Residue-To-Revenue Residual Wood Conference Organizer: Logging & Sawmilling Journal Contact: Jan Raulin Email: tenaj@telus.net Tel: 604-990-9970 Website: http://www.forestnet.com/woodconference/index.htm
October 24-26 Austin, TX	The Tenth National Green Power Marketing Conference Organizer: DOE/EPA/Center for Resource Solutions Contact: David Glickson Email: N/A Tel: 303-275-4097 Website: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/conference/tenth.html
Oct 25-27 Trondheim, Norway	Bioenergy 2005, Nordic Bioenergy Conference Organizer: Norwegian Bioenergy Association Contact: Norsk Bioenergiforening Email: post@nobio.no Tel: +47 23365870 Website: www.bioenergy2005.no
Oct 25-26 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	CatCon2005 Conference and Exhibition Organizer: The Catalyst Group Contact: Jeanne Drahos Email: jmd@catalystgrp.com Tel: 215-628-4447 Website: http://www.catalystgrp.com/conferences.html
October 25-26 New York, NY	Renewable Energy Project Developer Forum Organizer: Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative/UNEP Finance Initiative/BASE Contact: Nadim Choudry Email: roundtable@unepfi.org Tel: +44 870 758 7808 Website: www.sefi-roundtable.org/
October 30-November 4 Cincinnati, Ohio	AIChE Fall 2005 Biorefinery Topical Conference Organizer: American Institute of Chemical Engineers Contact: Meetings Department Email: meetmail@aiche.org Tel: (212) 591-733 Website: www.aiche.org/annual/
November 2-4 Messe Frankfurt, Germany	Eurolipids: International Trade Fair for Fats & Oil Organizer: European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids - Euro Fed Lipid Contact: Mrs. Caroline Curik Email: eurolipids@mfa.messefrankfurt.com Tel: +49 (0)611 - 951 66-28 Website: http://www.eurolipids.de/
November 3 - 4 Chicago, IL	Platts Biodiesel Investor Conference Organizer: Platts Reporting Contact: N/A Email: registration@platts.com Tel: 866-355-2930 Website: www.platts.com/Events/PB540X/index.html
November 7-9 Dresden, Germany	BIO-Europe 2005 Organizer: Biotech Industry Organization/EBD Group Contact: Tom Voigt Email: tvoigt@ebdgroup.com Tel: +1 760 930 0500 Website: http://www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope/index.htm
November 14-16 Rome, Italy	Green Power Mediterranean Organizer: Green Power Conferences Contact: Nadim Chaudhry Email: nadim.chaudhry@greenpowerconferences.com Tel: +44 870 758 7808 Website: http://www.greenpowerconferences.com/events/GreenPowerMed.htm
December 6-8 Las Vegas, Nevada	Power-Gen International Organizer: Penn-Well, Incorporated Contact: Judy Tarpley Email: pgiconference@pennwell.com Tel: +1-918-831-9560 Website: www.power-gen.com
January 12-13, 2006 Honolulu, HI	Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology Organizer: Biotechnology Industry Organization Contact: N/A Email: pacrim@bio.org Tel: 202-962-9200 Website: http://www.bio.org/pacrim/
January 19-20, 2006 Baltimore, Maryland	LMOP 9th Annual Conference and Project Expo Organizer: Environmental Protection Agency Contact: Brian Guzzone Email: guzzone.brian@epa.gov Tel: (202) 343-9248 Website: http://www.epa.gov/lmop/conf/index.htm
February 9-12, 2006 Verona Italy	Bioenergy World 2006 Organizer: BioEnergy Events and Services Contact: Paul Stuart Email: paulstuart@bees.biz Tel: +33 384 86 89 30 Website: www.bioenergy-world.com
February 20-22, 2006 Las Vegas, Nevada	11th Annual RFA National Ethanol Conference Organizer: Renewable Fuels Association Contact: N/A Email: info@ethanolrfa.org Tel: (202)289-3835 Website: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/nec.shtml

Click here for additional bio-related events.

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Solicitations

Title:	Continuing Solicitation for the Office of Science
Description:	Seeking grant applications for support of basic energy science fundamental research in the natural sciences and engineering leading to new and improved energy technologies and to understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of energy technologies.
Government Agency:	Department of Energy's Office of Science
Schedule:	Applications may be submitted at any time.
URL:	http://www.science.doe.gov/grants/FAPN05-01.html

Title:	SARE
Description:	The program sponsors grants in research/education, professional development for agricultural educators and producer projects in sustainable agriculture
Government Agency:	USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Schedule:	Grant programs, funding amounts and funding cycles vary by region.
URL:	http://www.sare.org/htdocs/sare/cfp.html

Title:	TIFIA
Description:	Provides credit assistance in the form of secured (direct) loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees to public and private sponsors of eligible surface transportation projects. Highway, passenger rail, transit, and intermodal projects (including intelligent transportation systems) may receive credit assistance
Government Agency:	U.S. Department of Transportation's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Joint Program Office
Schedule:	Letters of interest are required and are accepted at any time.
URL:	http://tifia.fhwa.dot.gov

Title:	Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) Program
Description:	The EISG provides funding to small businesses, small non-profits, individuals and academic institutions for establishing the feasibility of new energy concepts. Qualifying entities outside of California are eligible. Projects must develop innovative and original energy concepts that address a clear market need, provide benefit for California electricity ratepayers and target one or more areas of interest: Industrial/agriculture/water end-use efficiency; building end-use efficiency; advanced generation; renewable generation; energy-related environmental research; strategic energy research.
Government Agency:	California Energy Commission
Schedule:	EISG has up to 4 cycles of grants a year
URL:	http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/innovations/index.html

Title:	Energy Performance Contracting in State-Owned Facilities
Description:	Funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) on electric transmission, this program offers energy efficiency, research and development, low-income and environmental disclosure funding and education to assist electric consumers as the regulated electricity market moves to more open competition.
Government Agency:	New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Schedule:	Grant programs, funding amounts, and funding cycles vary
URL:	http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/funding.asp?i=2

Title:	USDA SBIR
Description:	The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests applications for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The purpose of the USDA SBIR program is to provide an opportunity for U.S. owned, for profit small business firms to submit innovative, applied, R&D projects that address important problems facing American agriculture, and have the potential to lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, Animal Waste Management, Rural and Community Development, Aquaculture, and Wildlife. Up to $19.4 million expected to be available, award range $80K to $300K.
Government Agency:	USDA
Schedule:	Responses for Phase I due September 1, 2005, responses for Phase 2 due February 2, 2006.
URL:	http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1220

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R&D Awards


Title:	SBIR Phase II: New Approaches to Using Renewable Biomass Derived Materials in Epoxy and Vinyl Ester Resin Products to Reduce Styrene and Other Petroleum Based Raw Materials
Description:	This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to reduce the levels of styrene in commercial vinyl ester-styrene resin formulations and other polymers by replacing all or a portion of the high VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) toxic monomer with a biomass-derived material. Prior results have shown that the styrene content can be reduced from 45% to 35% or lower without increase in cost or the loss of polymer physical properties. Phase II work will entail commercial development with three customers, scale-up process engineering to commercial levels and expansion of the technology into the broader thermoset market. The commercial application for this technology is in polymer and resin markets where styrene and other petroleum based, high VOC monomers are used.
Recipients:	Tetramer
Award Total:	$499,993
Sponsoring Office:	NSF
URL:	https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/servlet/showaward?award=0521976
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The Biomass Initiative, formed as part of the Biomass R&D Act of 2000, is a multi-agency effort to coordinate and accelerate all Federal biobased products, biofuels, and bioenergy research and development. The Biomass Initiative distributes an online monthly newsletter to inform government institutions and the public, including private companies, about the Biomass Initiative and biomass-related activities. The newsletter’s contents include a feature article highlighting important biomass-related stories of the month, as well as grassroots information and a state spotlight recognizing important local activities. In addition, the newsletter includes biomass-related information on recent legislation, R&D awards, solicitations, and market trends. If you have any questions or comments about the Biomass Initiative Newsletter, please contact mmanella@bcs-hq.com.