Alabamans testing sugarcane as potential biofuel

Biofuel production in the U.S. is usually done with corn, but new initiative in Alabama is attempting to test the viability of sugarcane, which the major feedstock for ethanol in Brazil. The hope is that it can be used as a substitute for jet fuel. Garry Mitchell of The Associated Press writes, "Amyris Biotechnologies of Emeryville, Calif., plans to use tons of sugar cane in its biofuels project, with a goal of selling jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force."

The project is taking place in Atmore, Ala., on land rented from an Alabama penitentiary. It is a collaborative effort between Eric Hall, a farmer from Bay Minette, and Auburn University crop specialists. The first stage of the project involves planting 100 acres of sugarcane. Writes Mitchell, "If the Alabama crop succeeds, the company could build a plant to process it nearby, but it could take several years and thousands of planted acres to measure its success."

However, there are obstacles. "While small plots of sugar cane are scattered across south Alabama producing molasses," Mitchell writes, "it's unclear if the land is suitable for the project." Another problem could be convincing farmers to sell sugarcane to companies making biofuels since, according to the American Sugar Alliance, currently it is more lucrative to sell it in the food market. (Read more)