The US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has announced up to $23 million in funding for research and development of domestic chemicals and fuels, including propane, from biomass and waste resources. The funding opportunity, called Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC), aims to advance innovative technology pathways for affordable fuels and products, leveraging renewable resources and generating domestic jobs. The funding will support two topic areas: bio-based chemicals and bio-based propane/LPG. Additionally, BETO is providing $52 million in funding for six university and industry projects to advance the production of low-carbon intensity, purpose-grown energy crops. These projects will focus on expanding the domestic supply chain of alternative carbon sources essential to biofuels and bioproducts production, and will be conducted across 18 different states. The funding is critical to creating jobs in rural America, boosting energy independence, and lowering energy costs for households and other users.
The U.S. Department of Energy plans to allocate funds for research and development projects focusing on bio-based propane production.
