SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - U.S. Sen. John Thune says the Department of Energy has awarded $3.9 million to South Dakota State University for research into cellulosic ethanol.

Thune says ethanol made from such things as corn cobs, switchgrass and wood waste can reduce the nation's dependence on imported oil.

He says cellulosic ethanol production would create thousands of jobs in rural America while diversifying the nation's energy supply.

Poet LLC, the nation's top ethanol producer, is building a pilot cellulosic ethanol plant at Scotland.

The $4 million plant is expected to begin producing fuel from corn cobs and fiber by the end of the year.