Texas governor backs research into non-food crops for biofuel

Corn isn't central to Texas' bioenergy strategy, Perry says

To protect cattle industry, Perry says, food crops won't be used


12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
From Wire Reports The Associated Press

HOUSTON – Texas will focus on developing alternative fuel from woody grasses and other plants rather than food crops like corn so that the effort doesn't conflict with the state's cattle industry, Gov. Rick Perry said Monday.

Governor Perry said that Texas will work on creating alternative fuel from woody grasses and other plants.Biofuels, such as ethanol, are made from corn and other agricultural products. But the state's ranchers use these to feed their cattle.

"Feed lots ... are not happy campers when they see corn going to fuel production. So finding the balance is what this is really all about," Mr. Perry said during a news conference detailing the state's bioenergy strategy. "We don't want to be put in the place of having to decide whether we are going to feed cattle or fuel vehicles."

Texas has more cattle on feed lots than any other state, he said.

Mr. Perry said Texas will focus on creating biofuels through switchgrass, a hardy prairie grass, and wood chips and corn stems ­ all plants that contain cellulose but aren't used as cattle food.

Biofuels are seen as a way to reduce harmful emissions and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Biofuels are a small percentage of the market, but President Bush wants to increase production.

Mr. Perry said Texas A&M University and Chevron Corp. are partnering on research efforts to find ways to speed up harvesting of cellulose crops and turning them into biofuels.

"It's a four-year project and shows tremendous progress," he said.

The governor announced a $5 million grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to Texas A&M University so it can recruit faculty members to market the school's biofuel technologies and renewable energy research.

Mr. Perry also announced the creation of the Texas Bioproducts Industry Council. The group will work with other agencies and businesses to create a strategy for bioproducts use.

Alternative fuel projects under way include:

• Studying mesquite to see whether it can be economically harvested for biofuel.

• Improving the yield on current biofuel production.

• Exploring whether biodiesel can be used to help produce electricity for impoverished areas along the Texas-Mexico border.

Kathy Fredriksen of the Energy Department said the federal government applauds efforts by Texas and other states to create alternative fuels.

"All of this is working. Last year over 6 billion gallons of ethanol were produced in the U.S. And an additional 5.5 billion gallons of refining capacity is under construction," she said. "This translates into 500 million fewer barrels of oil imported into this country."

The Associated Press