Feature Article April  2007

United States and Brazil Strengthen their Biofuels Partnership By Carl Wolf, BCS, Incorporated   On March 9, 2007, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and U.S. Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice signed a memorandum of understanding advancing the cooperation on biofuels between the two countries. [i]The agreement features the importance of biofuels as a transformative force in the Western Hemisphere to diversify energy supplies, promote economic prosperity, improve sustainable development of biofuels, and protect the environment.   The United States and Brazil intend to work with the International Biofuels Forum to examine development of common biofuels standards and codes to facilitate a universal understanding of the energy source. The U.S. and Brazil are attempting to implement a biofuels initiative that will first bring the America’s to a common understanding on biofuels, and eventually the globe. This bilateral cooperation will reduce dependency on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gases, and encourages prosperity within the region.   In addition, The National Institute for Standards and Technology held a workshop September 14-15 2006 between the United States and Brazil titled Measurements and Standards for Biofuels: Enabling a Transition from Petroleum as a Vehicular Energy Source. [ii]The goal of the workshop was to establish a collaborative program regarding the standards and metrology of biofuels. The workshop consisted of three sessions: using the experience and expertise from the fossil fuels and hydrogen academia and applying it to biofuel research and development, using molecular and structural biology for biofuel research; and creating an “ethanol cluster” among major ethanol producers. This would integrate all aspects of ethanol production and allow the sharing of information and development much easier and efficient. The overlying factor is that in order to best utilize information on the subject cooperation, especially regarding the metrology and standards of biofuels is essential.   Brazil has been at the forefront of renewable energy production for many years since the oil crisis of the 1970’s, which saw soaring oil prices. Brazil set goals to reduce their dependence on oil from the Middle East. In 1975 Brazil began its alternative energy campaign which focused on converting sugarcane into ethanol. While most U.S. ethanol is corn based, Brazil favors sugarcane because of its arable land and positive climate. [iii]This transition initially saw Brazil struggle to develop efficient technology for its domestic energy needs, though recently have experienced enormous success not only on the domestic level but also internationally. They recently have developed the technology for flex fuel cars that can run on gasoline, ethanol, or any combination of the two. Flex fuel cars were first produced in Brazil in 2003 and already represent 70 percent of new passenger car sales. While Brazilian drivers currently consume 83 percent of the countries total ethanol production, the exportation of ethanol has been steadily increasing in recent years. With the adaptation of blending mandates all over the world, the country will most likely see an increase in foreign investment. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of ethanol and with the U.S. their largest market for ethanol exports, the cooperation between the two on the issues.   On March 2nd 2007, the International Biofuels Forum was launched. The forum, which falls under the United Nations, is a major step to encouraging cooperation, global development and the use of biofuels. Members include the United States, Brazil, the European Union, China, India, and South Africa. Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has been organizing the creation of this forum for over a year and seems very pleased at the way it has come together. [iv]"Today, if you talk about biofuels, it is classified as an agricultural product, not an energy product," said a Brazil Foreign Ministry spokesman, "But one of the main objectives of forming this group of nations is to change this concept." The forum was created under the notion that the rising oil prices are causing a need for international cooperation in regards to renewable energy. While this is likely to benefit the major exporters of ethanol, like Brazil, the forum intends to aid developing countries in utilizing biofuel technology as well. [v]"There will be two groups created by the forum," said the spokesman.  "The first will be a group that exchanges information and experiences about biofuels, while the second will be a more technical work group that will discuss the standardization of different types of biofuel to establish a common norm.”   In Decemeber 2006, Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida; Roberto Rodrigues, President of the Superior Council of Agribusiness and Former Minister of Agriculture of Brazil; and Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) joined together to establish the Interamerican Ethanol Commission. The Commission’s goal is to promote the usage of ethanol in the gasoline pools of the Americas. [vi] [vii]The organization will act as an ethanol think tank and provide valuable information to the region regarding its research and development while also traveling abroad giving presentations regarding ethanol in an attempt to raise public awareness of the technology. [viii]   Japan is expected to soon pass legislation that will require its gasoline to contain at least three percent ethanol; consequently, a much larger supply will be needed. As a result, they are engaging in negotiations with Brazil regarding the logistics of such a trade agreement. Reports say a deal supplying these Japanese markets could cost up to $8 billion. In addition, new EU policy requires member countries to acquire 20 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources could also mean an increase in Brazil’s ethanol exports. [ix]Brazil is not only the lowest-cost producer of ethanol in the world, but also one of the few countries having significant quantities of land available for agricultural expansion. With these emerging markets and vast resources, Brazil will have to have to raise its level of production to meet market demand. Government officials stated that they are planning to double their export of ethanol to about four billion liters within the next five years. Brazil’s Finance Minister, Guido Mantega, has long been pushing for the further exportation of ethanol. In regards to the subject, he claimed that [x]“it's possible to give more importance to ethanol. We can develop joint projects in such a way that we can introduce these alternative energy sources into regular consumption.”   [i] U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet. March 9, 2007. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/mar/81589.htm [ii]  http://www.nist.gov/oiaa/biofuels.htm [iii] David J. Lynch. “Brazil Hopes to Build on its Ethanol Success”. March 28, 2006. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2006-03-28-brazil-ethanol-cover_x.htm [iv] Grace Fan. “Brazil, US, Others Launch International Biofuels Forum Friday.”  Dow Jones Newswires. March 1, 2007. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=110157 [v] Grace Fan. “Brazil, US, Others Launch International Biofuels Forum Friday.”  Dow Jones Newswires. March 1, 2007. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=110157 [vi] “Florida, Brazil, And IDB To Launch Interamerican Ethanol Commission” December 18, 2006. http://helpfuelthefuture.org/mediaroom-pressrelease-dec18-english.htm [vii] Vanessa Bauzá. “Florida may be center of Brazil-U.S. alliance on ethanol.” South Florida Sun-Sentine. March 9, 2007. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-aethanol09mar09,0,2928692.story?track=rss [viii] Bill Belew.  “Japan-Brazil Ethanol Investment Could Reach $8 billion.”March 5, 2007. http://www.risingsunofnihon.com/2007/03/japanbrazil_ethanol_investment.html [ix] Grace Fan. “Brazil, US, Others Launch International Biofuels Forum Friday.”  Dow Jones Newswires. March 1, 2007. http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=110157 [x] “Brazil to Double Ethanol Exports.” February 5, 2007.   http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070205/3/2wx3y.html

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Biomass Spotlight

Massachusetts Like most of the country, Massachusetts’ energy consumption is growing, regardless of the increasing cost of electricity, heating oil, natural gas, and gasoline.  Last year, Massachusetts set a new record high level of energy consumption, and could see an energy shortage as soon as next year, according to the Boston Globe[i].  The state is however vested in improving the situation, currently spending over $100 million to promote energy efficiency, and is involved in many research and development initiatives [ii]. Conservation only goes so far to alleviate a possible energy deficit, which is something that Governor Deval Patrick realizes.  Patrick endorsed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, in addition to the state’s participation in 50 various grant, loan, rebate, and tax deduction programs to encourage the use of renewable energies [iii], [iv].  A massive addition to the existing incentives has been proposed by Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, who has recently called for a “Green Communities Act,” that would provide funding for the promotion of various renewable energies around the state.[v] Massachusetts has strong potential in the biomass industry.  Biomass is currently the fourth most popular renewable energy in the state, and it may be about to take a leap forward [vi]. Massachusetts bid on a federally funded biomass research center that would bring an initial $25 million into the state, and additional $25 million annually for subsequent four years [vii].  The contract will be awarded in June 2007, and many are optimistic.     Mount Wachusett Community College pioneered the state’s entrance into the biomass field in 2002, when it integrated a biomass heating system into the college infrastructure.  The modifications have saved over $300,000 a year in energy costs in the four years that it has been operational [viii].  Since then, both public sector and the government have become invested in the development and integration of alternative energy into the marketplace.  The Renewable Energy Trust for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is involved with well over 400 renewable energy projects, mostly ventures headed by individuals or small businesses[ix].  On a larger scale, the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources is working to hasten the integration of biodiesel into public transportation busses[x]. Massachusetts has earned numerous recognitions by helping to fund projects like these.  The Union of Concerned Scientists has awarded the state five awards, including the title of one of the “Biggest New Renewables Markets.”[xi] [i] Staff.  (2006, September 24.)  Quenching the State’s Growing Energy Thirst.”  The Boston Globe, p. D9. [ii] Ibid. [iii] United States Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  (2007, January 19).  Massachusetts Rejoins Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  Retrieved March 22,2007,fromhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/states/state_news_detail.cfm/news_id=10536/state= MA. [iv] Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.  Massachusetts Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.  RetrievedMarch22,2007,fromhttp://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State= MD&RE=1&EE=1. [v] State House News Service.  (2007, March 21).  Bill would provide loans, grants for clean energy.  The Boston Globe, online.  Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/21/bill_would_provide_loans_grants_for_clean_energy [vi] Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.  RET Project Search.  Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://www.masstech.org/Project_Srch.asp. [vii] Preer, Robert.  (2006, December 7).  Biomass research center pursued The prize: $125m federal facility.  The Boston Globe, p. 1. [viii] Simas, Art.  (2006, September 24).  By consuming wood chips by the ton, college saves millions; Biomass technology at Mount Wachusett Community College.  Sunday Telegram, p. O 1. [ix] Johnson, Carolyn Y.  (2006, October 19).  Power to the people Nearly $4m for renewable energy projects aids homeowners, businesses.  The Boston Globe, p. 1. [x] Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources.  Renewable Energy Programs.  Retrieved March 22, 2007, from http://mass.gov/doer/programs/renew/renew.htm#biomass. [xi] The Union of Concerned Scientists.  Clean Power Surge: Ranking the States.  Retrieved on March 22, 2007, from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/clean_energy_policies/clean-power-surge-ranking-the-states.html.

On the Hill

Bill # Sponsor Description Last Action S. 701 Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] Strategic Energy Fund Act of 2007, A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a temporary oil profit fee and to use the proceeds of the fee collected to provide a Strategic Energy Fund and expand certain energy tax incentives, and for other purposes. 2/28/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.  S. 875  Sen Dorgan, Byron L. [ND] SAFE Energy Act of 2007, A bill to improve energy security of the United States through a 50 percent reduction in the oil intensity of the economy of the United States by 2030 and the prudent expansion of secure oil supplies, to be achieved by raising the fuel efficiency of the vehicular transportation fleet, increasing the availability of alternative fuel sources, fostering responsible oil exploration and production, and improving international arrangements to secure the global oil supply, and for other purposes. 3/14/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. S. 919 Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007, A bill to reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes. 3/20/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. S. 987 Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [NM] Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007, A bill to enhance the energy security of the United States by promoting biofuels and for other purposes. 4/12/07: Hearings held in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee   H.R.1133   Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] Freedom through Renewable Energy Expansion (FREE) Act. To provide for the energy independence of the United States. 3/1/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. H.R. 1187 Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act, To expand the boundaries of the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. 3/2/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. H.R. 1300   Rep Hoyer, Steny H. [MD-5] Program for Real Energy Security Act, To strengthen national security and promote energy independence by reducing the Nation's reliance on foreign oil, improving vehicle technology and efficiency, increasing the distribution of alternative fuels, bolstering rail infrastructure, and expanding access to public transit. 3/5/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. 3/28/2007: Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities. H.R. 1451 Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [CA-3] New Options Petroleum Energy Conservation Act of 2007, To provide incentives to reduce dependence on foreign oil. 3/14/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.  H.R.1551 Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007, To reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes. 3/15/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.   H.R. 1506   Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] Fuel Economy Reform Act, To increase fuel economy standards for automobiles, and for other purposes. 3/13/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.       On the Hill   BACK TO TOP   Grassroots   University of Illinois Researchers Planning New $20 Million Bioenergy Research Facility (3/13)   Researchers from several disciplines at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have begun to plan a new $20 million research facility dedicated to interdisciplinary bioenergy research. The Integrated Bioprocessing and Research Laboratory (IBRL), anticipated to be completed in spring 2009. Research done at the IBRL will focus on employing advanced bioprocessing technology required to produce biomass-based fuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, other biofuels, and other biochemicals economically. The IBRL also will include an interdisciplinary educational component to train scientists and skilled workers for tomorrow's biotech industry, as well as to educate consumers, producers, and others. The new facility is part of a $125 million grant proposal now being considered by DOE.   http://www.grainnet.com/articles/University.         New Biofuels Process Promises to Meet All U.S. Transportation Needs (Indiana - 3/15)   Purdue University chemical engineers have proposed a new environmentally friendly process for producing liquid fuels from plant matter potentially available from agricultural and forest waste, providing all of the fuel needed for "the entire U.S. transportation sector." The new approach modifies conventional methods for producing liquid fuels from biomass by adding hydrogen from a "carbon-free" energy source, such as solar or nuclear power, during a step called gasification. Adding hydrogen during this step suppresses the formation of carbon dioxide and increases the efficiency of the process, making it possible to produce three times the volume of biofuels from the same quantity of biomass. The researchers are calling their approach a "hybrid hydrogen-carbon process," or H2CAR. "Further research is needed to make this a large-scale reality," Agrawal said. The process, which would make possible the dawning of a "hydrogen-carbon economy," is detailed in a research paper appearing online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.   http://www.ccnmag.com/news.php?id=4926   Ethanol Marketing Campaign Linked to IRL (3/16)   The US based Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) is to implement its first ever national marketing campaign through its partnership with the Indy Racing League. As part of its marketing activities EPIC's mobile marketing unit will travel to all 16 US domestic IndyCar Series events in 2007. The interactive unit is designed to educate consumers with videos, show cars and child-friendly exhibits. It also will make appearances at selected fairs and environmental festivals across the US. EPIC also funded an IRL based television commercial that will be shown during US TV coverage of the races and will be distributing thousands of Fan Packs comprising posters, giveaways and other fan-friendly marketing items at US domestic IRL races.   http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/news/16-03-07_10   Biofuels Center Formed (Colorado - 3/19)   The Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels was introduced as a new research venture between universities, industry and the government. C2B2, as the center is being called, combines the biofuels and biorefining work being done at various companies with the expertise at the recently formed Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. The aim of C2B2 is to develop new biofuels and biorefining techniques and move those advances into the private sector as quickly as possible. Companies will be able to participate in C2B2 by paying a membership fee, which will fund shared research. Sponsors also may fund proprietary research through C2B2.   http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/03/19/daily2.html?from_rss=1   Novozymes Opens Midwest Location (Iowa - 3/21)   As industrial and national interest in ethanol-based fuel research and production continues to increase, Novozymes has established a Midwest Customer Solutions Center in Ames, Iowa, in order to better serve its customer base in the Biofuels Industry. The Center, located at the Iowa State University Research Park, will provide regionalized support and technical service to customers beginning in April. Customer training programs will be implemented upon the building's completion, expected in July 2007. The focus of the site will be to provide regionally-based know-how and services to Novozymes' customer base in the Midwest, with an emphasis on support and training to plants using enzyme products to convert starches into fuel ethanol. Additionally, the location can support ongoing research and development projects as Novozymes develops technologies which are helping to make cellulosic ethanol commercially viable.   http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070321/20070321005084.html?.v=1   Monsanto, BASF in $1.5 bln Genetic Seeds Venture (3/21)   Monsanto Co. and German chemical giant BASF Ag announced a $1.5 billion partnership to develop more genetically modified crops to meet growing demand for vegetable-based fuels. Monsanto, which currently has the lead on selling corn seeds with biotech traits to North American farmers, will pair a roster of eight seed traits with BASF's early-stage research and database of 35,000 plant genes. The two companies will equally share funding up to $1.5 billion in costs to develop genetic traits that increase yields and hardiness from corn, soybean, cotton and canola crops. They aim to start selling results of the collaboration in the first half of the next decade, with Monsanto slated to receive 60% of net profits from partnership and BASF taking 40%.   http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid={3033B60F-9475-4170-8D29-22F00BAC6DD7}&dist=rss     Training Ethanol, Biodiesel Lab Workers Takes Priority (4/1)   As nine Iowa Central Community College students in white lab coats and safety glasses ran tests on small quantities of biodiesel they had made, instructor Donald Heck looked on with detached but professorial interest. The students are learning how biodiesel and ethanol are made and testing them for temperature, reaction time and other factors. "There is a huge need for trained employees in the biofuels industry," said Heck, coordinator of the biotechnology and biofuels technology program at Iowa Central. "Everywhere I go, people in the industry are saying to me, 'Give me your students. I need them all." Located in the bulls-eye of Iowa's ethanol and biodiesel plants, Iowa Central's Biofuels Technology Degree Program began last fall. Training ethanol and biodiesel plant workers is a priority, industry officials say, and having a pool of lab-savvy workers will support Fort Dodge's three biorefineries.   http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/BUSINESS01/704010324   NuFuels Chief Promises ‘New Technology' (4/2)   The president of NuFuels says the bioenergy facility the company plans for Huntington will use “different technologies” to produce fuel in a unique way. Joe Bellavance told an Indianapolis biofuels roundtable recently that the company will refine ethanol and biodiesel fuels in Huntington in a way “that has not been done before that we're aware of domestically, and perhaps not even internationally.” A video clip of Bellavance's remark, which appeared Wednesday on the Web site insideindianabusiness.com, did not contain any details about what would make the NuFuels plant different from other biofuels projects.   http://www.h-ponline.com/articles/2007/04/02/news/001nufuels.txt   Alternative-Fuels Pioneer Receives $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability (4/2)   Your car could soon become a vegetarian thanks to a process for cost-effectively converting cellulosic biomass, such as grass, wood, wheat and rice straw, into ethanol that can be used for fuel. When it does, it will be due to inventors such as Lee Lynd, professor of engineering and adjunct professor of biology at Dartmouth College, and co-founder of Mascoma Corp. Lynd received the inaugural $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability today, which recognizes inventors whose products and processes enhance economic opportunity and community well-being, while protecting and restoring the natural environment.   http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070402/20070402005356.html?.v=1           BACK TO TOP   Market Place   Marketplace provides data relevant to the production of biofuels from biomass as well as the state of the petroleum markets in which biofuels are used. Cost fluctuations in the price of a bushel of soybeans, the main biodiesel feedstock, and corn, affect the finished products i.e., biofuels. Key indicators in the petroleum industry provide a snapshot of the supply of finished products stocks and production, and how they relate to demand and the price of finished product (i.e. gasoline and diesel). The tables show actual grain prices, indicators which may affect gasoline prices, and the production of ethanol. Grain Prices Received by Farmers March 2007 March 2006 % Change 24 Months Corn ($/bushel) 3.36 2.06 70.30 Soybean ($/bushel) 6.85 5.57 21.16 Spot Prices W. Tex. Int Cush & Henry Hub February 2007 February 2006 % Change 24 Months W. Tex. Int Cush ($/Bbl) 58.46 62.24 -6.07 Henry Hub ($ per MMbtu) 6.186 7.521 -17.74 Fuel Supply March 2007 March 2006 % Change 24 Months Percent Refinery Utilization 86.04 85.46 0.68 Production by Product - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) 8,728 8,310 5.02 Stocks - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl) 115,718 136,041 -14.94 Imports - Total Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) 893 1,160 -23.01 Oxygenate Production January  2006 January 2005 % Change 24 Months Ethanol Production (1,000 bbl) 11,621 8,942 29.96 MTBE Production (1,000 bbl) 1,797 3,732 -51.85   Data Sources: U.S. DOE-Energy Information Administration, "Weekly Petroleum Status Report" and "Monthly Oxygenate Report"; USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Agricultural Prices,""Grain Stocks"; Wall Street Journal, Markets Data, Spot Prices, Oil Prices      BACK TO TOP   Recent Awards   Title: EPA Awards SBIR Contract for Butanol from Biomass Description: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award a $70,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to Integrated Genomics Inc. to develop a method to produce butanol from biomass (cellulosic butanol rather than cellulosic ethanol) that is economically competitive with the chemical synthesis of butanol from petroleum. Recipients: Integrated Genomics Inc. Award Total: $70,000 Sponsoring Office: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency URL: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/epa_awards_sbir.html     Title: Congressman Peter J. Roskam Announces Alternative Energy Award Description: Congressman Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) today announced a four-year U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) cooperative agreement for $3,396,186 to the Des Plaines-based Gas Technology Institute (GTI) for development of a gasification membrane reactor system for production of hydrogen from biomass. Recipients: Gas Technology Institute Award Total: $3,396,186 Sponsoring Office: U.S. Department of Energy URL: http://roskam.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=59335       BACK TO TOP   Solicitations   Title: Applications for research in the area of Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of research on alternative bioenergy technologies, synthetic genomics, or nanotechnologies Description: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for research in the area of Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of research on alternative bioenergy technologies, synthetic genomics, or nanotechnologies. The aims of this Notice are to support explorations of the potential societal implications arising from scientific research in areas of systems microbiology pertaining to the DOE mission of bioenergy, and, in addition, issues arising from synthetic genomics applied to bioenergy, and research on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies relevant to bioenergy. Government Agency: U.S. Department of Energy Schedule: Apr 19, 2007   URL: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12057&mode=VIEW             Events   April 16 - 19, 2007 San Diego, CA 23rd Annual BioCycle West Coast Conference April 26 - 29, 2007 Hot Springs, AR In-Woods Expo May 6 - 10, 2007 Boston, MA BIO 2007 May 7 - 12, 2007 Berlin, Germany 15th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition       BACK TO TOP   (Hidden) newsletter back to top BACK TO TOP   Biomass Research and Development Initiative U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail-Code EE-1, Washington DC 20585 Office: 202-586-4541 | Fax: 202-586-1640 | BRDI@bcs-hq.com