Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Gas From Garbage Finally Gets Momentum

From sawdust to agricultural waste, scientists drive toward new fuels

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Jul 24, 2008 9:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – After decades of dreaming, schemes to turn waste into fuel are finally getting traction in the US, with some 28 plants in the works and a handful even up and running, the New York Times reports. They consume everything from wood chips to garbage, as... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

New York Times (Source Grid »)

What are biofuels?
Wikipedia

Academics still unsure of biofuels potential
Daily Californian

Technology • Green • Money

ethanol • biofuel • energy dependence • alternative fuels • algae biofuel

More Newser Stories

Scientists Make Seaweed-Fuel Breakthrough

Next hurdle: bringing it to market

(NEWSER) - Algae-based fuel is a step closer to reality. Scientists in California have genetically modified a microbe so that it can convert seaweed into biofuel, the Guardian reports. "Natural seaweed species grow very fast—10 times faster than normal plants—and are full of sugars, but it has been very difficult to make ethanol by conventional fermentation," says a researcher. The microbe breakthrough is a "critical step" toward an alternative form of ethanol, but there's still a long way to go. More»

Exxon to Invest $600M in Algae-Based Fuel

Will partner with famed genome expert Craig Venter

(NEWSER) - Exxon Mobil, the biggest oil company in the world, will invest $600 million in turning algae into fuel, the New York Times reports. Known for blowing off concerns about global warming and dismissing biofuels—its CEO famously called ethanol “moonshine”—Exxon Mobil has in fact been researching alternative fuels for years, says a VP. The current plan involves a partnership with a biotech company founded by Craig Venter, known for his work on the human genome. More»

Ethanol on Tap From Beer Dregs

Brewer Sierra Nevada gets in on plan to produce alternative fuel

(NEWSER) - Brewer Sierra Nevada is part of an effort to turn byproducts of the beer-making process into usable, alternative fuel, CNET reports. E-Fuel sells a $10,000 portable ethanol refinery that the brewer will feed with its yearly output of 1.6 million gallons of “bottom of the barrel” waste. The company will first use the ethanol to power its own fleet, then supply workers and sell it on the market. More»

Algae: Lean, Green Biofuel?

Firm says it can produce algae oil at $60 a barrel; US dare not miss its chance, writer says

(NEWSER) - The steam engine wasn’t invented in the eighteenth century—it was invented in AD 60. But Romans instead stuck to their old standby technology: slaves. Now, we’re in danger of repeating that mistake with biofuels, writes David Ewing Duncan for Portfolio. While Congress is pumping subsidies into corn-based ethanol, better solutions—such as algae—are begging for attention. More»

Bush Signs Huge Energy Bill

Law boosts emission standards for first time since '70s

(NEWSER) - President Bush today signed a sweeping energy bill that will improve automotive fuel-efficiency standards, boost biofuel production, and kill off the incandescent light bulb, the Washington Post reports. Bush said the law would reduce US dependence on foreign oil and even the likelihood of terrorist attacks. Both the White House and Congressional Democrats claimed victory in the year-long haggling process. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Gas From Garbage Finally Gets Momentum

From sawdust to agricultural waste, scientists drive toward new fuels

ethanol • biofuel • energy dependence • alternative fuels • algae biofuel

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scientists Make Seaweed-Fuel Breakthrough

Next hurdle: bringing it to market

Exxon to Invest $600M in Algae-Based Fuel

Will partner with famed genome expert Craig Venter

Ethanol on Tap From Beer Dregs

Brewer Sierra Nevada gets in on plan to produce alternative fuel

Algae: Lean, Green Biofuel?

Firm says it can produce algae oil at $60 a barrel; US dare not miss its chance, writer says

Bush Signs Huge Energy Bill

Law boosts emission standards for first time since '70s

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?