October 4, 2006—Illinois, Washington and Wisconsin have awarded nearly $33 million in grants and loans for biofuels and other forms of biomass energy in recent weeks, while Pennsylvania is offering incentives for alternative fuels, according to the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Illinois announced five grants of more than $25 million to support biofuels production. The grants will support the construction of three ethanol facilities with the combined capacity to produce 141 million gallons of ethanol per year, and two biodiesel facilities (one new and one expansion) that will reportedly increase biodiesel production by 84 million gallons per year.
Washington announced $6.75 million in low-interest loans for seven bioenergy projects, including five biodiesel plants and two anaerobic digesters, which convert livestock waste into methane fuel.
Wisconsin announced $1 million in grants for a variety of projects related to biofuels, biomass energy, and biobased products.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting project applications for the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program (AFIG), which will fund projects that increase the production and use of biodiesel and ethanol, particularly for use as a transportation fuel. AFIG is also offering incentives to Pennsylvania producers of biodiesel and ethanol.
