Assistant Secretary Karsner Visits Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
May 09, 2008
On May 7 Assistant Secretary Karsner, along with Washington State University and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, dedicated a new building for the advancement of biomass research.
At the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL), researchers will create a portfolio of bio-based products and fuels that will help reduce the nation's dependence on foreign petroleum and carbon footprint of energy use. Researchers will focus on biofuels that are more efficient to produce and more compatible with the existing fuels infrastructure than today's biofuels. The research will advance conversion technologies that can be used with a variety of feedstocks, including non-edible cellulosic biomass and crops specifically grown for fuel.
"Cellulosic ethanol is a critical component of the president's comprehensive strategy to diversify our nation's energy sources in a sustainable manner, enhance energy security, and address the serious challenge of global climate change," said Alexander Karsner, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "BSEL's work to develop and deploy clean and affordable renewable fuels will prove pivotal as the Bush Administration works aggressively to mitigate climate change and meet the rapidly growing demand for energy."
