Federal Economic Recovery Money will Help Boardman Create New Jobs and Opportunity
Federal Economic Recovery Money will Help Boardman Create New Jobs and Opportunity
Zeachem, Inc. Set to Receive Grant from Department of Energy
Washington, D.C. - Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley applauded today’s
announcement that ZeaChem, Inc. in Boardman will receive a $25 million grant
from the U.S. Department of Energy. ZeaChem will use the funds to build a
biorefinery which will use purpose-grown hybrid poplar trees to produce
fuel-grade cellulosic ethanol using hybrid technology.
“This landmark investment creates jobs in hard hit rural communities, further establishes Oregon as a clean energy pioneer and helps make America energy independent,” said Merkley. “I’m thrilled that economic recovery funds are creating natural resource jobs and meeting America’s energy and economic needs. This is a step forward in our efforts to produce biofuels from woody biomass.”
The federal commitment will be paired with another $48 million in private investment to fund the project. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the news earlier this morning. The funds are part of up to $564 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate the construction and operation of 19 pilot, demonstration, and commercial scale biorefinery facilities throughout the country.
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