ALGAE ARE THE GOOD BIOFUEL SOURCE

Putting In a Good Word for Algae
James Kanter, February 23, 2010 (NY Times)

"…[The European Algae Biomass Association weighed in] on a fierce debate over the environmental value of using algae to produce biofuels for vehicles… [M]embers of its scientific committee…[think] the commercial production of algae biofuels…[will have a] positive carbon footprint and…[reduce] CO2 emission in European transport, including aviation…

"…[A] consortium called Aquafuels [will] deliver a report in the coming months offering a…scientific assessment of algae-based biofuels…[their] sustainability and increased carbon efficiency…The Brussels-based association said its scientific committee included experts from major universities and scientists in the field of algae biomass."

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"Proponents claim that algae, like some crops grown for fuel, would reduce emission because it absorbs carbon dioxide while it grows. They want algae-based fuels eventually to qualify for use toward volume-based targets for using biofuels in the European Union.

"There is currently no algae-based biofuel commercially available in Europe."

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"Opponents say the benefits of using algae are unproved. They point to a recent study showing that the need for additives, in particular fertilizer, would give algae an unfavorable carbon footprint.

"The United States government in January handed out more than $80 million in stimulus money for biofuels research, much of which will be focused on algae research."