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

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

Friday, September 12, 2008  

(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.

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