WASHINGTON, D.C. – A $250,001 federal grant has been awarded to Clarkson University to support the development of a new decision-making tool that evaluates the value and environmental impact of creating ethanol using biomass wastes, Rep. John M. McHugh (R-NY) announced today. The funds come from the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE).

“I’m very pleased that, in evaluating projects for this award, these agencies have recognized the depth and breadth of experience Clarkson University has in the area of biofuels research,” McHugh said. “This important study can have a significant impact on demonstrating the benefits of producing and using alternative fuels – both on our environment and on rural economic development.”

Clarkson University President Tony Collins said, "We were thrilled to receive this call from Congressman McHugh and to be among the world-class research operations asked to be a part of the solution for energy interdependence. His support is critical to our success in promoting this research and many other endeavors."

The outcome of this overall research will be to develop the framework for assessing various ethanol supply systems as well as to apply this analytical tool to possible waste materials that could be used for ethanol production in Northern New York. These biomass wastes – feedstocks such as paper pulp/sludge, cheese whey, and corn stover – are plentiful in the region.

Over a two-year period, the study will be carried out by Clarkson researchers, including Primary Investigator Dr. Susan E. Powers, who also serves as Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies at Clarkson’s Coulter School of Engineering, and PhD student Amanda Lavigne from Saranac Lake, New York. According to Dr. Powers, she and Ms. Lavigne have been working on this topic for several years, and it was Ms. Lavigne’s PhD research that set the stage for developing a strong proposal that was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants.

The award is part of nearly $17.5 million in research and development grants awarded to 17 projects across the U.S. The USDA-DOE Biomass Research and Development was established in 2000 and reauthorized in the comprehensive Energy Policy Act of 2005, which rewards projects that demonstrate collaboration among experts in the field of biomass. The Initiative aims to enhance creative approaches in developing next generation advanced technologies; and promote research partnerships among colleges, universities, national laboratories, federal and state research agencies and the private sector.