U.S. bioenergy office pushes biofuels to meet bold climate goals

In Washington D.C., the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office announced new efforts to accelerate bioenergy innovations, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious “Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing” initiative. BETO’s strategy focuses on transforming the U.S. bioeconomy by converting sustainable biomass into fuels and bioproducts, supporting the administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

With $29 billion in public and private investments since 2022, BETO has made significant strides toward decarbonizing sectors like transportation and industry that are hard to electrify. The Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ initiative is a cornerstone of BETO’s work, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by using alternative carbon sources. The 2023 Billion-Ton Report shows the U.S. could sustainably triple its biomass production, potentially producing 60 billion gallons of low-carbon liquid fuels annually.

Major projects like LanzaJet’s Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia, producing 9 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel per year, exemplify BETO’s impact. BETO’s support of cutting-edge biomanufacturing and workforce development programs helps drive progress toward the administration’s bold energy transition goals while creating new green jobs.