USDA AWARDS $49 MILLION FOR BIOMASS ENERGY PROJECTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that 30 projects in 14 states were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - $49 million for wood-to-energy and $8 mil- lion for biomass utilization. "These pro- jects will promote the development of biofuels from wood and help private sector businesses establish renewable energy infrastructure and accelerate availability in the marketplace," says USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "Additionally, hazardous fu- els reduction projects utilize biomass from forested lands that, when left un- treated, increase …