Growers rush to fill biofuel niche

By Rick Stouffer
Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The conference is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Penn State University, the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and the Harrisburg-based engineering/environmental services firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc.

A handful of farmers in Northwest Pennsylvania are helping to prove that camelina -- a knee-high plant often called a weed -- can help lower diesel fuel costs.

The plant is being recognized as a low-maintenance, inexpensive source for oil to make biodiesel. One study found using camelina reduces the cost by one-third compared to soybeans.

Pennsylvania and other states have enacted biofuel usage mandates. Pennsylvania requires that every gallon of fuel contain a percentage of ethanol, 10 percent per gallon of gasoline, and biodiesel, from 2 percent to 20 percent, based on how much of each product is made in-state.

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