The Biofuels Center of North Carolina has made its first round of funding, infusing $2.55 million to strengthen the state's biofuels sector.
The Biofuels Center, incorprated last year, awarded 15 grants and loans from the 75 applications received.
The organization's board of directors approved projects to build a biodiesel production enhancement; convert renewable woody biomass to fuel; prove the economic feasibility of renewable biomass; and provide biofuels laboratory equipment for workforce training.
Biofuels Center President John Ganzi says that the large number of applications show the pent-up need for capacity building in the state to create this new industry sector.
"North Carolina imports 5.6 billion gallons of liquid fuels annually," he said. "These proposals put North Carolina on the path to reducing its dependency on foreign oil and liquid fuel imports."
Nine people from industry, non-profits, and state agencies reviewed the applications in a competitive process and made recommendations for funding to the Biofuels Center Board. Proposals were solicited in four areas, innovation/tesearch, agriculture, industrial production and workforce development.
"Seldom has a state the opportunity to create an entirely new industry sector, but sustained support will ensure North Carolina reaches its goal of growing and producing 10% of its own liquid fuels by 2017 - or about 600 million gallons," said Steven Burke, Biofuels Center Board Chairman.
The Biofuels Center was funded by a $5 million appropriation from the 2007 General Assembly to implement North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership. The center works with a wide range of constituents, from academics and scientists, farmers and industry, to public policy makers and consumers. Its mission is to facilitate and support the development of a sustainable biofuels industry in the state.
For a list of grant awardees or further information, visit the Biofuels Center Web site or contact Norman Smit.