Gov. Perry Puts $5 Million Toward Biofuel Research

Yesterday, Governor Rick Perry announced that the Texas A&M University System will receive a $5 million grant from the state's Emerging Technology Fund. The stated purpose of the grant is to support research into the development of "next-generation biofuels" and other renewable energy sources.

Specifically, the $5 million in taxpayer funds will go to the Texas A&M Agriculture and Engineering Bioenergy Alliance. This alliance is essentially a collaboration between the Agricultural and Engineering Departments at Texas A&M. The alliance will now use the $5 million grant to further its work toward accelerating the development of cleaner-burning fuel sources, with special emphasis on alternative energy sources derived from "agricultural feedstocks," which are plentiful in Texas.

*Image of Gov. Perry courtesy of the Texas Travesty.

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By s in News on July 10, 2007 12:05 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

guest

I can't wait until we're all extinct.

mdahmus

"Biofuel does convert sunshine to useable energy, and does it for a lower life-cycle cost than more direct solar (such as photovoltaic)."

Biofuel will never ever ever return enough energy to be worthwhile. Remember, fossil fuels are effectively burning thousands of years of stored solar energy all at once. With biofuels, you're trying to burn one year's sun.

People need to realize that the typical suburban lifestyle is nearing an end. This is not necessarily a bad thing; but misguided efforts like biofuels to prolong that lifestyle will run smack into the brick wall of EROEI (energy returned on energy invested). Certainly people aren't going to be able to drive 20,000 miles per year alone in SUVs, no matter what. There's no fuel out there which will allow that to ever happen again.

tim

>>Biofuel does convert sunshine to useable energy, and does it for a lower life-cycle cost than more direct solar (such as photovoltaic).

>>Of course, it'd be better if we weren't setting up a system where our cars will directly compete with us for the same food.

Yeah, that's the problem. We should be researching improving solar energy rather than biofuel. Biofuel is only a short term solution and is only cheaper than photovoltaic because of government subsidies.

adam rice

'Governor Rick Perry demonstrates "the Caveman O-face" for his loyal constituency.'

guest

CAPTION THIS PHOTO

guest

Diesel engines were designed to run on hemp oil.

We need to grow hemp.

guest

...the gub stared at the hard, but hollow, chunk of wood that stood before him. He fixed his gaze on the smooth, shiney contours of the panels and where they met at the joints. His ire rose as his zipper fell...

adam rice

Sunshine or rain, Gov. Perry totally just f-ed that podium. And he didn't pull out.

Scooby

Biofuel does convert sunshine to useable energy, and does it for a lower life-cycle cost than more direct solar (such as photovoltaic).

Of course, it'd be better if we weren't setting up a system where our cars will directly compete with us for the same food.

tim

Yeah, let's go with feedstocks. It's not like our animals are using them.

It would be nice to see them attempt to do research into another thing that's plentiful in Texas - sunshine.