Rob: Oklahoma is in the race to develop alternative energy sources
to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Currently, biofuels, predominantly made from corn, are being converted
into ethanol in 129 refineries across our country.
Yet researchers and economists agree, there is
a better, more efficient way.
Switchgrass, and other native prairie grasses, are showing great
potential as alternative fuel sources, sparking an emerging industry and the
focus of this year's Grow OK Conference in Oklahoma City.
Our Jessica Betts starts us off.
Jessica: It's an issue affecting commuters every day, the increasingly high
price of oil.
Dr. Joe Bouton: Yeah, I mean, you know if the price of oil remains high,
it's going to keep driving the industry to get cheaper, alternative
sources of fuel.
Jessica: Or biofuels.
Right now, some states throughout the country and Canada are using a
starch-based ethanol, an alternative fuel source made from corn.
And while corn farmers are benefiting from the new market, Oklahoma farmers
and ranchers aren't so happy.
Senator Johnny Crutchfield: It's going to cost our farmers and
ranchers three times the feed bill, if we're going to use corn.
But switchgrass, like we've talked about, marginal land,
non-productive land, this stuff will grow.
It gives another option for our farmers and ranchers as well.
Terry Peach: Oklahoma, geographically, we're located perfect.
We're right here on I-40, we're right here on I-35.
We have probably the best access to the rail distribution system in
America, whether you be going south to the Gulf, or whether you be going to
the east coast or to the west coast.
Jessica: A biofuels discussion that is bringing the agriculture,
biotechnology, and energy industries together at Governor Brad Henry's
annual Grow Conference.
Governor Henry: I see the current oil and gas companies already very
interested in biofuels, already making investments in the biofuels industry.
We need to show them that we're a leader and attract them to Oklahoma.
Build those refineries; get the transportation infrastructure in place.
Bouton: There's been a lot of research done, and now there're even some plants
that are going up, you know, as these demonstration scale plants
that the DOE is starting to co-fund with private investors.
So the industry is growing.
It's just going in fits and starts, you know.
But it's moving, and it's moving in a positive direction.
Jessica: A biofuels economy that will need
support from private investors.
Speaker Cargill: Government alone is not going to build an economy.
It's going to take private entrepreneurs and individuals, private
business to really provide economic opportunities, and well throughout the
state, particularly in rural areas.
That's where I think a real promise is for biofuels and
biotechnology, is growing, not just urban areas of the state, but literally
all across the state.
Jessica: Creating a sustainable, home grown
future in alternative fuels.
Rob: Well, Jessica, it certainly sounds as if, if biofuels research is
really going to take off in this country, it's going to have to have some
federal investment.
Jessica: You're absolutely right, Rob.
It takes millions of dollars to support
research projects like this.
In fact, at this year's Grow Conference, Ardmore senator, Johnnie
Crutchfield, received the prestigious Henry Bellmon Award.
An award named after the former Oklahoma governor for his early support of
alternative energy, research and development.
Senator Crutchfield spearheaded the effort to create the Oklahoma
Bioenergy Center.
Senator Crutchfield: Initially the state investment, as so many
projects, federal or state, they have to have some initial support to
get it started.
And we've done that, 10 million a year for four years with this group,
with OU, OSU, and Noble Foundation, to be able to begin the research in
earnest to look at switchgrass and other type of cellulose products to
create bioenergy sources that are not out there now.
Rob: So, Jessica, I know a lot of time, effort and money have been spent on
developing the biofuels industry here in Oklahoma; but, in fact, how close
are we where we could actually rely on biofuels as a viable energy source?
Jessica: Well, Rob, as Lance Cargill said, it's going to take some heavy
support from business developers and entrepreneurs to really
grow these companies across the state.
The state government has already provided start-up funds for research, but
it's going to take private investors to really get
this moving confidently in Oklahoma.
Rob: It sounds like a public, private partnership.
Well, I appreciate the story, Jessica.
Jessica: Thank you.
Rob: Now a little later in our show, we will show you exactly how that
public-private partnership is working here in Oklahoma.