Baucus, Tester: MSU tapped for cutting-edge energy research

University will use grant to study potential of harvesting oil from algae

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Montana’s two U.S. Senators today announced that Montana State
University is one of only six
universities in the United
States that will receive
major grant funding for cutting-edge biofuel
research.

The Bozeman university
will team up with Utah State
University to research pond
algae that produces oil.  Researchers will also examine the best way to convert
that oil into biofuel.

The total grant will be worth up to $4.4 million.  MSU
will share the money with the five other universities chosen by the U.S.
Department of Energy to research similar high-tech
projects.

“This is exciting news for Bozeman and for all of Montana because it will help the Big Sky
Country lead the way in our energy future,” Baucus said.  “My top priority is to
create good-paying jobs. This funding is a good investment in Montana that will help
meet the goal of creating good-paying jobs and boosting our state’s
economy.”

“Montana has countless opportunities to lead
our country to a more secure energy future—and this project will be right there
at the top,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Energy Committee.  “And it will
bring good-paying jobs and new opportunities our
state.”

The Department of Energy says the grant will help the
U.S. produce at least 36 billion
gallons of renewable fuels by 2022.  The mandate was required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007, which both Baucus and Tester
supported.

Other universities selected to share the grant are: the
University of Toledo, the Stevens Institute of Technology in
Hoboken, N.J.,
the University of Georgia, the University of Maine and the Georgia Tech Research
Corporation.