Next-Generation Biofuel Project Announced

The next generation of biofuels may be closer to reality.  In the last year, the impact of corn "bred" ethanol on food prices  has been closely scrutinized.  To combat that, Verenium Corp., a company specializing in the development of cellulosic ethanol from nonfood feedstocks, has partnered with oil and gas giant BP.  The two companies announced a joint venture that will explore the use of inedible grass in biofuel and will build the largest refinery of its kind in Florida.

The two companies will split the cost of the venture,  The companies intend to break ground on the 36 million gallons per year refinery in 2010 with production to begin in 2012.The plant will be the first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol facility.  To learn more, click here.