Grassley: $492,000 to Iowa from the U.S. Department of Energy
WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a grant of $492,000 to Chariton Valley Rural Conservation and Development in Centerville.
“These funds will help boost efforts to have an alternative energy source like switchgrass be used in the mainstream,” Grassley said. “Alternative energy sources are critical with the current high energy prices and an important part of a 3-pronged approach to solving our current energy crisis, conservation, alternative energy and fossil fuels.”
Grassley has been a leader in the Senate in promoting renewable energy. As the former chairman and current ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, he has authored legislation to provide tax incentives for wind, ethanol and biomass.
Chariton Valley Rural Conservation and Development will use the funds to conduct research leading to the commercialization of switchgrass as a replacement for propane and natural gas used in residential and small commercial applications.