US officials have announced $25 million in funding to promote biofuels and bioenergy research and development.

A joint initiative of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the funding programme aims to create “a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass.” It also sets a goal of creating biofuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent.

“A robust biofuels industry — focused on the next generation of biofuels — is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing our addiction to foreign oil and putting Americans back to work,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Added Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, “These grants will help support the development of a sustainable domestic biofuels industry by broadening the nation’s energy sources as well as improving the efficiency of renewable fuels.”

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