Today in Biofuels Opinion: “The federal government should accelerate research into new and efficient alternatives. Texas should be leading this research.”

From the Houston Chronicle: “Jatropha, noted Jim Marston of the Environmental Defense Fund, shows the rewards of investing in new, clean energy sources. “Yes, yes, yes, yes,” Marston said, of the possibility of jatropha being refined one day for car engines. To encourage such breakthroughs, the federal government should accelerate research into new and efficient alternatives.Texas should be leading this research. Already, the University of Texas is developing algae as a fuel source. And Continental Airlines is set to test an algae-and-jatropha fueled flight on Jan. 7. One century ago, Texas oil helped determine how the whole world would travel by land and air. Texas’ creativity should now drive the fuel alternatives for the new millennium.” 

From Earth2Tech: “We know there’s been an end-of-the-year rush of top 10 green stories across the blogosphere, including ours — victories, disappointments, and most popular stories. But what better time than the last day of the year to look back at 2008 and make some predictions for 2009, when it will be the more cost-effective cleantech sectors — energy efficiency, green buildings, green IT — that move ahead, while the more capital intensive sectors — biofuels, solar — face tighter times.” 

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Australian government mulls elimination of ethanol research grants

In Australia, the federal government refused to rule out scrapping a $40 million program providing research grants for ethanol, pending review of the impact of ethanol on world food prices. In the ...

Today in Biofuels Opinion: “So what are the simple solutions to develop a progressive national biofuels program?”

Professor Patrick Takashita in the Huffington Post: "So what are the simple solutions to develop a progressive national biofuels program? 1. Terminate Federal support for ethanol from food. 2. Adjust...

Microbiogen receives $A2.5 million from Australia for research on conversion of xylose to biofuels

In Australia, the federal government awarded $A2.5 million to Microbiogen under the Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program, wfor R&D into more efficient means of using C5 and ...

UK’s Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council awards $40 million for advanced biofuels research

In the UK, the  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) awarded $40 million to research teams at the Universities of Cambridge, Nottingham, Dundee and York, plus Rothamsted Res...

German Biomass Research Center opens with support from Saxony state government

In Germany, the Saxony state government approved the formation of the German Biomass Research Center in Leipzig. Under an agreement with the federal government, the Saxony ministry of agriculture will...

Australia’s Productivity Commission calls for federal review of ethanol subsidies as food prices increase

In Australia, the Productivity Commission has asked the federal government to review ethanol subsidies in light of the potential impact on food prices. The federal government has spent $31.9 million o...