State researches ethanol trees

The Daily Tar Heel
By: Jacki Huntington, Staff Writer
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: State & National

Research at N.C. State University could change the face of energy in the Southeast.Scientists are studying genetically modified trees to see if they could be a viable, less expensive source of ethanol. Production is still in the early stages and most experts believe it's not quite ready to be a major fuel source.

The Midwest has explored corn-based ethanol for years, and if this research proves viable, it could bring about a more regionalized approach to energy, said Hasan Jameel, an NCSU professor of wood and paper science who is involved with the research.

"We have to learn to use what we have available," Jameel said, referring to the Southeast's wealth of forest resources.

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