Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Gov. Haley Barbour looked into the crowd of university researchers, entrepreneurs, industrial leaders, and national and international authorities on biofuels gathered in a Jackson hotel conference room last week and said something they already knew.
"In 10 to 15 years from now, people won't ask how much it costs," he said. "They'll ask, 'Can I get it?'"
Speaking at the fifth annual Biofuels Conference sponsored by the National Science Foundation and hosted by Mississippi State University, Barbour welcomed solutions from the group of scientists, engineers, businessmen, and students.
He said he's not ready to give up energy from fossil fuels, but knows they'll run out at some point. He explained his energy policy as an "all of the above" approach, seeking out new energy sources to complement, and even replace, petroleum, coal and natural gas.
"Energy is important to the entire economy, even the information economy," he said. "Let's remember that computers also are incredible energy-eating machines."
When Barbour mentioned giant miscanthus grass, MSU researcher Brian Baldwin's and entrepreneur Phillip Jennings' ears perked up. Barbour listed other biofuel production methods such as using timber byproducts that included an important caveat to him.
"I believe every fuel area we deal with has got to make money in a private economy without a government subsidy," the two-term governor said.
Baldwin, a plant and soil sciences professor, and Jennings, chief operating officer at Georgia-based Repreve Renewables, began a partnership two years ago to bring "Freedom" giant miscanthus from the university's research fields to commercial production of 500 acres in the Peach State. Jennings has licensed the grass and already sublicensed it to a number of farmers throughout the Southeast.
The business owner, with a goal of national energy independence, had a specific purpose for attending the conference.
"We want to get the word out that we're beginning commercialization of Freedom miscanthus," he said, standing next to a promotional table for his renewable product.
Jennings said that the "energy grass" he works to commercialize continues on track for the timetable he set a year ago, and he hasn't met any unforeseen difficulties. He explains the concept behind his venture with the vigor of someone convinced he has a successful product.
"It will be burned just as coal would be burned," he explained, "except this is a green form of energy."
Glenn Steele, director of MSU's Sustainable Energy Research Center, said the commercialization of giant miscanthus is a great example of how the university center uses sound scientific research to seek practical energy solutions.
"One of our biggest goals from the beginning was commercial opportunities," Steele said.
Many emphases at the university center, often called SERC, also overlap with U.S. Department of Energy priorities. Bio-oil companies in Virginia and Georgia already have initiated commercialization of processes developed at MSU, while another company soon is expected to announce locating in Mississippi for biofuel production.
Among many forms of biofuels research, the SERC focuses on creating bio-oil, bio-crude and synthetic gasoline, and improving grasses and other crops used as feed stocks for biofuels.
Researchers and policy authorities on biofuels discussed the need for partnerships from throughout the nation and other parts of the world to help advance sustainable energy resources.
Jennings said he has the patience it takes to see his dream turn into a product that produces ethanol, powers homes, and removes carbon from the air. He began his business journey by planting a handful of plants and now has 5 million in the ground.
"Changing this country over to energy independence will take patience, research and entrepreneurs pushing to make it happen with or without government help," he said.