The University of Hawaii has won a $6 million federal grant for biofuel research.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation revealed Friday that the money will be used by UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on a project designed to convert grass and other biomass into biofuel.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said in a news release that such sustainable energy projects are “vital to the health of our environment and our economy.” He said the project will ease Hawaii off its dependence on imported oil.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono said the funding will help Hawaii create more of its own energy.