Energy

Production Tax Credit for Municipal Solid Waste

Renewable electricity production tax credits (PTC) provide a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity generated from certain renewable sources for the first 10 years of a project under Section 45 of the tax code. In the case of facilities that use municipal solid waste as a feedstock to produce electricity, the PTC is 1.3 cents […]

Production Tax Credit for Open- and Closed-Loop Biomass

Renewable electricity production tax credits (PTC) provide a per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) tax credit for electricity generated from certain renewable sources for the first 10 years of a project under Section 45 of the tax code. Open-loop biomass refers to facilities that produce electricity by burning organic waste that is a byproduct of agriculture, construction or timber-related […]

Reactor Concepts Research and Development

The Department of Energy (DOE) Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) program uses taxpayer funding to develop and demonstrate new commercial reactor designs. The program includes research and development of small modular reactors, light water reactor improvement and advanced reactor designs. Renamed in fiscal year 2011, the Reactor Concepts RD&D program was formerly the […]

Biorefinery Assistance Program

This program, formerly the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million for the construction of commercial-scale biorefineries, the retrofitting of existing facilities to produce biofuels, or construction of renewable chemical and biobased manufacturing. To be eligible, fuels or products must be derived from renewable biomass […]

Biological and Environmental Research – Biological Systems Science

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program conducts peer-reviewed scientific research, involving studying health and environmental issues. In 2007, the DOE established three Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs) in order to focus advanced biotechnology-based resources on biofuel production. According to the DOE, the BRCs are presently conducting research on processes needed for […]

Biomass Crop Assistance Program

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) was intended to spur development of advanced biofuels derived from non-food and feed crops. The goal was to pay individuals and companies to plant perennial grasses, harvest agricultural residues, collect wood waste, store biomass and transport these materials to bioenergy facilities. Instead of achieving these goals, the program provided […]

Biomass Research and Development

The Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) is a joint program between the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture that provides grants to companies, universities and government research centers to research, develop and demonstrate new ways to refine various feedstocks into biofuels or biobased chemicals and products. The program, originally created in the Biomass Research […]

Stand-by Support for Nuclear Plant Delays

This program allows the Department of Energy (DOE) to cover up to $2 billion in costs caused by delays imposed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s process or litigation. The Secretary of Energy is authorized to provide contracted standby support for up to six nuclear power plants, providing full coverage (up to $500 million) to the […]