Mo. facility picked for biofuels effort

WASHINGTON -- Missouri is getting a big energy investment from the federal government.

The Department of Energy says Missouri is one of 15 states picked for a plan to produce advanced biofuels.

The project includes up to $25 million for a St. Joseph facility that will produce cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass and energy sorghum using biochemical conversion processes.

It's part of the larger national effort to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

The government hopes the biofuels and bioproducts produced through such projects will displace petroleum and accelerate the industry's ability to achieve production targets mandated by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.