Source:“Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2008,” United Nations Environmental Progamme (UNEP)
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Farmers hear future of biobased products
By Kyser Lough
September 17, 2009
Local farmers met Tuesday night to hear one company's idea of the future and how the western Kentucky region might be involved.
Representatives from the Memphis Bioworks Foundation hosted the event with Murray State University and the Purchase Area Development District, and presented the findings of a five-state, 98-county study titled the "Regional Strategy for Biobased Products in the Mississippi Delta."
Pete Nelson and Randy Powell of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation presented the findings from the study, which aimed to see how biobased products could impact the region. Biobased products include anything made from plant matter, or biomass, that can be grown in addition to current food and feed crops. This could range from biofuel to cosmetic products, anything made currently with fossil fuels. The study showed that an $8 billion industry could be built within the study area without affecting the current food/feed supply chain and it could have a huge impact on the future of biotechnology.
"We're going to use plants ... to replace fossil fuels," Nelson said. "We're the only region with a large diversity of what we can grow ... we can produce a diverse amount of materials."
Powell said biomass production is starting to become more and more critical as finite supplies of fossil fuels continue to be used up.
"(Fossil fuels) won't go away tomorrow or the next year, but we need to plan for the day they aren't there," he said.
While bringing biomass production and processing to western Kentucky is a long-term process that involves plenty of roadblocks, the study emphasized ways the region could be preparing for the eventual move away from fossil fuel dependence. Powell outlined four near-term opportunities that could be feasible, including the production and use of fuel pellets to co-burn with coal. Murray State University assisted in helping the study take off, and were included in some of the western Kentucky-specific near-term opportunities.
One in particular is the development of a pilot program that would generate heat from biomass at the Equine Center. Tony Brannon, dean of the School of Agriculture at MSU, was on hand to open the presentation and talk about the possible impact it could have on the region. He said he was pleased to be working with the study and hopes MSU continues to be a part of the future of biomass development. Brannon also highlighted Hillary Spain, an MSU alumna who now works with Memphis Bioworks and was key to including the western Kentucky region in the study. Local and state officials also attended the meeting to show support and hear more information.
Attendees were given a chance to offer feedback and ask questions after the study was presented. Questions ranged from specific implementation details to what near-term projects could be started immediately.
A breakfast was held this morning in Mayfield at the PADD office where the study was presented again. To view the study, visit www.murraystate.edu/agr or www.agbioworks.org/regional.cfm.
Murray Ledger & Times
http://www.murrayledger.com
