Continuous Membrane Assisted IBE Fermentation from AVAP (R) Cellulosic Sugars Award Number: DE-EE0006879 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Bioenergy Technologies Office Date: 3/7/2017 Location(s): GA Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
March 14, 2017
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Continuous Membrane Assisted IBE Fermentation from AVAP (R) Cellulosic Sugars
Award Number: DE-EE0006879
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Bioenergy Technologies Office
Date: 3/7/2017
Location(s): GA
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to American Process Inc. (API) to engineer a genetically modified AVAPclo strain in order to improve the performance of the organism for production of solvents from biomass. API received a final NEPA determination (GFO-0006879-001; CX A9, B3.6; 01/20/15) for their project that reviewed all Budget Period (BP) 1 and 2 activities, but since that time there have been changes made to the reviewed Statement of Project Objectives. It was recommended during the Stage Gate review that the project add the proposed genetic engineering research to the scope of work for BP2. Therefore, this second NEPA determination is to review activities associated with the addition to BP2 of Subtask 9.0: “Perform the AVAPclo strain genetic modification research to promote isopropanol production.”
The additional proposed subtask would include laboratory-scale research to engineer a modified AVAPclo strain (engineered C. acetobutylicum DSM 792 with integrated ADH gene) and batch fermentation experiments to verify performance of the modified strain. Genetic engineering work would take place at Auburn University’s Biosystems Engineering Department in Auburn, AL. Performance testing of the modified micro-organism would occur at API’s Biorefinery Research Lab in Thomaston, GA. The facilities in which lab work would occur are purpose-built for the type of activities being proposed; therefore, no adverse impacts to sensitive resources are expected as a result of the proposed project. No change in the use, mission or operation of existing facilities would arise out of this effort. A Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Microbial Commercial Activity Notice (MCAN) Tier 1 exemption would be applied for through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prior to beginning work.