# Understanding the Pyrolysis Innovation Grants Act

This bill creates a government grant program to fund research projects that turn tree nut waste into useful products while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. When almond, walnut, and other nut farmers harvest their crops, they're left with shells, hulls, and other leftover materials. Instead of letting this waste sit around or burning it, this bill funds projects that convert these byproducts into valuable materials like biocarbon products, industrial chemicals, construction materials, and even energy sources.

The Department of Agriculture will distribute up to $5 million per year (from 2022 through 2026) to fund at least 10 pilot projects. These grants can go to universities, agricultural companies, nonprofits that work with farmers, and government agencies. The goal is to test whether these conversion processes actually work and whether they can reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. This matters because agriculture produces significant emissions, and finding ways to use waste products more efficiently could help address that problem while creating new business opportunities.

Two years after the first grant is awarded, the Department of Agriculture has to report back to Congress about what worked, what didn't, and whether the program achieved its goals. The bill limits administrative costs to 8 percent of the funding, meaning at least 92 percent goes directly to the actual research and development projects. For farmers in nut-growing regions like California, this could eventually lead to new ways to profit from materials they currently consider waste, while also supporting environmental goals.

Pyrolysis Innovation Grants Act

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]

Pyrolysis Innovation Grants Act This bill requires the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to award grants for pilot projects that have the potential to reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions and that convert and valorize tree nut harvest by-products into higher value biocarbon products. Eligible grantees include, among others, certain colleges or universities and agricultural business entities.