PUBLIC LAW 107-171—MAY 13, 2002 116 STAT. 479 (5) create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy. (b) DEFINITIONS. —In this section: (1) ADVISORY COMMITTEE. —The term "Advisory Committee" means the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee established by section 306 of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7624 note; Public Law 106-224). (2) BiOREFiNERY.— The term "biorefmery" means equipment and processes that— (A) convert biomass into fuels and chemicals; and (B) may produce electricity. (3) BOARD.— The term "Board" means the Biomass Research and Development Board established by section 305 of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7624 note; Public Law 106-224). (4) INDIAN TRIBE.— The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). (c) GRANTS.— The Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to assist in paying the cost of development and construction of biorefineries to carry out projects to demonstrate the commercial viability of 1 or more processes for converting biomass to fuels or chemicals. (d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— An individual, corporation, farm cooperative, association of farmers, national laboratory, institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), State or local energy agency or office, Indian tribe, or consortium comprised of any of those entities shall be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (c). (e) COMPETITIVE BASIS FOR AWARDS.— (1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall award grants under subsection (c) on a competitive basis after consulting the Board and Advisory Committee. (2) SELECTION CRITERDV. — (A) IN GENERAL.—In selecting projects to receive grants under subsection (c), the Secretary— (i) shall select projects based on the likelihood that the projects will demonstrate the commercial viability of a new and emerging process for converting biomass into fuels, chemicals, or energy; and (ii) may consider the likelihood that the projects will produce electricity. (B) FACTORS. —The factors to be considered under subparagraph (A) may include— (i) the potential market for the product or products; (ii) the level of financial participation by the applicants; (iii) the availability of adequate funding from other sources; (iv) the beneficial impact on resource conservation, public health, and the environment; (v) the participation of producer associations and cooperatives; (vi) the timeframe in which the project will be operational; (vii) the potential for rural economic development;
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