A $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy has been instrumental in Michigan State University’s ability to conduct research on alternative fuels through its new Office of Bio-Based Technology.
The grant is MSU’s share of a $125 million grant over three years that was awarded to Wisconsin and MSU to develop alternative fuels and reduce the U.S.' dependence on foreign oil, says program Director Steve Pueppke.
MSU created the Office of Bio-Based Technology in the spring of 2006. Researchers use resources funneled through the office to examine bio-fuel possibilities including feedstock and raw materials, switch grass, forest resources and cellulose.
The grant alone will create an estimated 100 academic and private sector jobs in Wisconsin and Michigan, Pueppke says.
“Most people would say the job outlook is very, very good,” Pueppke says about the future of bio-based fuels. “Not just here in Michigan, but everywhere. Basically we have a society that are saying we need to create a bio-economy in Michigan.”
Source: Steve Pueppke, MSU Office of Bio-Based Technology
Ivy Hughes is the development news editor for Capital Gains. She can be reached at ivy@capitalgainsmedia.com.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.