BIOMASS HUB

Farm and Dairy reports that Ohio is offering $10 million in biomass funding through the “Deploying Renewable Energy: Transforming Waste to Value” grant program.

The grant program is part of $96 million allocated to the state of Ohio through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act State Energy Program (SEP).

The grant targets projects that will create jobs through projects that convert feedstocks (e.g. municipal solid wastes, food and farm wastes, or other biomass or waste materials) to electricity, heat, fuel or other bio products.  The state aims to build the market demand for Ohio manufacturers and distributors of biodigester components, biomass or waste conversion equipment, and electric generation equipment.

Awards will be selected through a competitive process and will range from $500,000-$1 million.  All eligible projects must be located within Ohio, include a match investment of a minimum of 25 percent of the total cost of the project, be completed within 12 months, and provide a direct economic impact to Ohio by creating and retaining jobs.

Projects that include a cooperative component with an energy provider, a coordinated effort to utilize local feedstock or other innovative approaches in utilizing waste streams will be given additional consideration.

Application deadline: August 23, 2010.

More information about the Transforming Waste to Value grant program and requirements.