Biofuels could chart new energy course

By Randy Woodson, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture

Next week, Purdue University and U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar will host an energy summit to discuss industry and policy perspectives on how our nation can significantly reduce its dependence on foreign oil.

Biofuels, such as soy diesel and ethanol, hold promise as alternative forms of energy, which could start a process that weans our nation from its oil addiction. Purdue Agriculture is developing many of the new technologies that will move the renewable fuels industry forward. Our researchers are exploring a number of ways to make biofuels production more efficient, effective and affordable.

The time is ripe to discover the potential of biofuels and discuss this country's future energy course. However, replacing foreign oil with domestically grown biofuels will require an ambitious effort, not unlike that which put a man on the moon.

The United States has proven time and time again that it can achieve tremendous goals with Apollo-like efforts. And while a future run by biofuels would require a large investment, the advances will be made not in space, but right here in Indiana farm fields and Purdue research laboratories.

Richard G. Lugar-Purdue Summit on Energy Security http://www.purdue.edu/energysummit/.

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