Tree-Based Ethanol to Be Produced in Michigan

The biofuel industry may soon get a boost as an energy company prepares to begin producing a new type of biofuel in Michigan.

Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently announced the intention of the Massachusetts-based Mascoma Corporation to set up a commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in the state. While most types of ethanol are produced from food crops such as corn, cellulosic ethanol is derived from trees.

"Mascoma's decision to choose Michigan is helping us achieve a key part of our economic plan-making our state a leader in alternative energy production," Granholm said in a press release. "Cellulosic is the next step in wide-scale ethanol production, and this puts Michigan on the leading edge of technology that will create good-paying jobs for Michigan citizens."

Partnering with the company is Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich., whose automotive engineering facilities will be used to test the biofuel. The university is currently working on a "Wood to Wheels" project to determine how to best utilize the cellulosic biofuel.

"We're honored that this leader in low-carbon cellulosic biomass-to-ethanol production regards Michigan Tech's research so highly," said University President Glenn D. Mroz in the release. "One of the goals of Wood to Wheels is to work with industry to facilitate the rapid transfer of technology to the marketplace, and this partnership with an industry leader like Mascoma will help make that happen."

Mascoma will also work with Michigan State University, an institution that recently received a $50 million grant from the Department of Energy to work with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Resource Center. The Great Lakes research center is one of three in the United States planned by the Department of Energy to study the development of cellulosic ethanol.

No site has been chosen yet for the cellulosic ethanol plant. About 20-40 full time employees will be hired to work at the plant, and it is expected to create additional positions in construction, forestry, and transportation and maintenance.

Ethanol is currently the main alternative to traditional fuels such as gasoline. It burns cleaner than gasoline, emitting less harmful carbon monoxide. However, since it is mainly produced from food sources like corn, rice and soybeans, there has been concern that increased use of ethanol may cause food shortages. It has also been said that there are simply not enough appropriate food crops to make enough ethanol to satisfy the United States' energy needs. The production of ethanol from trees, therefore, could help address some of these issues.

Press release. "Research Taps Trees for Ethanol." http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531835/

Michigan Tech website. www.mtu.edu

Bloomberg.com. "Forget the Ethanol Myth." http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_wasik&sid=aOS8e5kvDESE

Wikipedia. "Ethanol Fuel." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel

Department of Energy. "Bioenergy Research Centers." http://www.science.doe.gov/News_Information/News_Room/2007/Bioenergy_Research_Centers/index.htm