News Release

Etheridge Reviews NC State’s Biofuels Research

Media Contact:
Keith Nichols, News Services, 919/515-7159

Aug. 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Switchgrass, sweet potatoes, even genetically modified trees are part of a wide range of biofuels research at North Carolina State University, as researchers seek answers to the world’s energy needs. U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) will visit NC State on Tuesday, Aug. 7, to promote efforts to produce renewable fuels. 

Etheridge will view two research projects (a detailed itinerary is below). The first project seeks to turn trees into ethanol through genetic manipulation that would make them easier to be turned into ethanol. The project is funded through a $1.9 million federal grant from the Department of Energy.

The second project is a new technology developed by engineers that has the potential to turn fat sources, such as animal fat and oil from algae, into fuel to power jet airplanes. The process, called “Centia,” has been licensed to Diversified Energy, an Arizona company.

Although the average gas price in North Carolina has dropped slightly to $2.80 a gallon, drivers are still paying more than double what they paid five years ago. Etheridge is supporting a new five-year farm bill that would, for the first time, include an energy title to invest in the type of research being done at NC State.

Agenda:

10:00 – 10:10 a.m.	Arrive at Centennial Campus, greenhouses adjacent to Partners II
10:10 – 10:25 a.m.	College of Natural Resources, Forest Biotechnology Laboratory Location: Room 2500, Partners II Building Host: Dr. Vincent Chiang, Co-Director, Forest Biotechnology Group Faculty: Dr. Robert Brown, Dean and Dr. John Gilligan, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies
10:35 – 10:55 a.m.	College of Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Applied Energy Research Laboratory Location: 3217 Ligon St., West Research Annex, Buildings A & E Host: Tim Turner, Graduate Student Faculty: Dr. Dick Keltie, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Dr. Richard Gould, Head of MAE
10:55 – 11:00 a.m.	Return to private vehicles, Partners II parking lot

 

 

 

 

 

 

-30-