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Dept. of Energy to Fund Biorefinery Project in Corona, California

Date: Feb. 28, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Energy Natural Resources


DEPT. OF ENERGY TO FUND BIOREFINERY PROJECT IN CORONA, CALIFORNIA

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced that DOE has selected a biorefinery project located in Corona, California to receive up to $40 million in federal funding.

"Our country will increasingly rely on renewable and alternative energy sources and Riverside County will play a large role in developing these important technologies," said Rep. Calvert. "The $40 million dollar federal investment in this local project will significantly add to the project's viability and help turn waste into fuel. The process could reduce the amount of waste that needs to be stored and reduce our demand for oil, making it truly a win-win situation."

The project, located at the El Sobrante Landfill in Corona, will be operated by BlueFire Ethanol, which is based in Irvine, California. BlueFire's proposed biorefinery project will be sited on the existing El Sobrante Landfill and produce about 19 million gallons of ethanol a year. As feedstock, the plant would use 700 tons per day of sorted green waste and wood waste from landfills. The DOE believes the project will give them a better understanding of a new biological fermentation process not using enzymes.

The DOE solicitation, announced a year ago, was initially for three biorefineries and $160 million. However, in an effort to expedite the goals of President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative, within authority of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), Secretary Bodman raised the funding ceiling.

Negotiations between the selected companies and DOE will begin immediately to determine final project plans and funding levels. Funding will begin this fiscal year and run through FY 2010. EPAct authorized DOE to solicit and fund proposals for the commercial demonstration of advanced biorefineries that use cellulosic feedstocks to produce ethanol and co-produce bioproducts and electricity.

http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=13015

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