The vision of an energy-independent America has stirred leaders and citizens to seek ways to reduce our reliance on imported, petroleum-based energy. Developing our own home-grown energy is a key strategy for achieving that vision.
Bio-based raw materials offer the promise of greater energy independence. That’s good for national security, and it’s good for the environment. Bio-based materials also have potential to diversify American agriculture, stabilize rural economies, and enhance prosperity for rural and urban citizens.
Funded by Congress through the Farm Bill, the Sun Grant Initiative supports research and development to replace fossil fuels with bio-based raw materials in products such as vehicle fuels and feedstocks for generating electricity, as well as building materials, lubricants and solvents, plastics and adhesives, and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The Sun Grant Initiative is a network of five regional centers, each anchored by a land grant university:
These universities are at the forefront of bioenenergy and biofuels R&D. Their researchers work together with those from federally funded laboratories to bring bio-based energy and other products to the commercial marketplace.
Oregon State University anchors Sun Grant’s Western Regional Center, which takes in nine western states and five U.S. Pacific Territories. Research in the Western Region falls into three priority areas:
The Sun Grant Initiative harnesses a tradition of research, education, and Extension that has energized land grant universities for 150 years. Oregon State University is proud to partner with Sun Grant to bring to life the vision an energy-independent America.