|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Governor challenges Hoosiers to build cellulosic ethanol plant |
|
|
|
| By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced a new state initiative on March 1, challenging Hoosiers to develop and commercialize the development of cellulosic fuel production technologies.
“We’ve had rapid growth in corn-based ethanol production,” said the governor’s press secretary Jane Jankowski. “We’re now going to turn our focus to cellulosic ethanol production.”
Jankowski said with the Governor’s new focus, the state is pursuing legislation that can provide 20 million in tax credits for cellulosic ethanol production.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) and its 21st Century Research and Development Fund, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development created the Cellulosic Fuel Production Challenge.
The Cellulosic Challenge will issue one or more awards of up to $2 million for the commercial development of cellulosic fuel production technologies. Cellulosic ethanol is made from plant materials such as corn stover, wheat straw or wood chips. Any entity may apply for the award, but the production must take place in Indiana.
“The initiative provides tax credits to individuals piloting cellulosic ethanol technologies,” said ISDA Director Andy Miller. “It also offers cash grants for people who want to start a plant.”
The first deadline to submit an application was March 30, according to Miller.
“Currently, the applications are receiving a first review by technical experts and we expect this to take several weeks” he explained. |
| 4/18/2007 |
|
|
|
|
