The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up its support for programs that can include algae-based solutions. The agency is launching a new water protection program called Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR), which includes assistance with the cost of building bioreactors that can filter nitrates and other nutrients from cropland. CLEAR may cover up to 90 percent of the cost to install these new practices through incentives and cost-share.
Early estimates indicate that CLEAR could help to reduce nitrate runoff by as much as 40 percent over traditional conservation methods.