Ensyn Georgia plans to build a 20-million-gallon-a-year cellulosic biorefinery with the help of a $70 million loan guarantee from the USDA. The plant would convert 440 dry tons of woody biomass from forest materials at the plant in Dooly County in central Georgia. “There is an abundant supply of woody biomass near the plant due to excess forest materials in the region,” said the USDA. “The renewable fuel oil will be used as a heating oil replacement and as a renewable feedstock for diesel and gasoline production at refineries.” Funding for the loan guarantee comes from the Biorefinery Assistance Program.
In unrelated news, the department announced $40 million in funding to help ranchers and other groups in 11 Western states to restore and protect sagebrush habitat for the greater sage-grouse on private land. The money is part of a four-year, $211-million initiative to preserve habitat and avert the need to protect the bird as an endangered species.
Finally, the USDA said it would accept applications until March 10 for $17.6 million for “research and outreach activities that will help growers, producers, and processors find innovative ways to improve organic agriculture.”