Wood pellet firms receive federal funding

The US Department of Agriculture's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels is awarding two wood pellet companies almost $300,000 (€218,691) in funds.

$163,000 will be awarded to Woods Pellet Company in Athens, Maine, while Corinth Wood Pellets will receive $125,000.

The federal grant is part of a scheme to encourage biofuel production.

The programme is dedicated to supporting businesses that work to produce biofuels from a variety of renewable materials, including cellulose, crop residue and animal, food and household waste.

According to US senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, the money will reduce company production costs and help promote the state's energy resources.