Bright Future for Algae-Based Biofuel

Arizona seems to have all the ingredients needed to begin large-scale, algae-based biofuel production: plenty of sunshine and land, salty, leftover agricultural water, and local algae species that produce abundant oils--up to 55% of their body mass. The Arizona Republic reported that research into algae is accelerating at Arizona State University, where scientists have made remarkable headway over the last few years developing algae as an alternative source of fuel. According to the Republic, the research has been extremely successful, and is an excellent example of how federal dollars for science research can lead to job creation--algae biofuels will likely develop into a multibillion dollar industry in the Southwest.  Researchers told the newspaper that algae biofuels are a much more viable option for replacing fossil fuels in the short-term, since unlike solar or hydrogen, most of the scientific problems surrounding algae have already been solved. On top of that, algae-based biofuels are carbon neutral, and will help curb greenhouse gas emissions.

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