State to head up biomass research

Atlanta Journal Constitution

By ALAN DARVILL, JOY PETERSON and E. DALE THREADGILL
Published on: 05/19/08

The rush toward a biofueled future based on ethanol made from corn has raised the specter of a food vs. fuel battle. Many — including economists, scientists and ethicists — have concluded that generating biofuels may not be a viable means to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and to curb the effects of global warming.

In Georgia, however, we recognize that we can't stake bioenergy's future on food crops. Corn can't be the only, or even the primary, solution. In addition to driving up food prices, it requires frequent applications of pesticides, large quantities of nitrogen and constant irrigation during our hot and frequently rainless summers — environmentally unfriendly practices that drive up production costs.

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