11/21/06 U of I biofuels research program

Earlier this month the University of Idaho got a two million dollar research boost from an international company. U of I plant breeder Jack Brown will try to develop high-value oilseed crops worldwide for alternative fuel production. Brown has already developed mustard, canola and rapeseed varieties adapted to the Pacific Northwest. BROWN "We've been making and researching biodiesel at this university longer than any other university in North America and longer than any university in Europe." Eco-Energy Limited is a European based subsidiary of Interesorts Investments. Chief Executive Officer Ian Rosenblatt set out to find American universities that had biofuel expertise. ROSENBLATT "Scroll through the website brought me to the university's Bio-Bug which is the yellow Beetle that runs around. From that we obviously contacted Jack." The biodiesel program is built on research began in 1978 by Chuck Peterson, University of Idaho Engineering Dean emeritus and agricultural engineer. Peterson studied its use in engines and partnered with the National Park Service a decade ago to pioneer biodiesel use in Yellowstone National Park. More to the story tomorrow. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott