The U.S. Energy Department says it will spend close to $600 million to help build renewable energy plants that will turn wood chips, cornstalks and algae into fuel.

The government will team up with private companies to create 19 biorefinery projects in 15 states. Federal officials announced the undertaking at a news conference Friday in Toledo, Ohio, where a pilot plant will turn agriculture and forest waste into diesel fuel.

The 15 states involved are California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.