Dedication of Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant - October 10, 2008
Good afternoon!
It's not often I feel lucky to be in Florida during hurricane season. But, I was relieved I live here instead of Georgia during the gasoline shortage a couple of weeks ago. Gas was so scarce, a lot of stations had to shut down. People in Atlanta and parts of North Carolina and Tennessee either couldn't find gas or had to wait in long lines.
But, here's the thing: Just like with hurricanes, Florida may have dodged this shortage. But, we are bound to get hit another time.
The Sunshine State imports all of the 10 billion gallons of petroleum consumed here every year. On a bad day, like when a hurricane takes out a refinery or pipeline, that has the potential to leave our pumps dry. On a good day – and the term "good" is relative – our dependence on gas from elsewhere still puts Florida in the same bind as the country as a whole.
This nation imports over 70 percent of its oil, exposing each of us to price run-ups, shortages and the other vagaries of the international oil market.
Actually, Florida is in a double bind, because as gas costs rise, tourism and agriculture suffer. We pay more for our own transportation, yet bring in less, due to increased prices for airline tickets and exports.
All of this explains why I am so happy to join you today in dedicating the Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant located on the first floor of this building.
The plant is not a silver bullet – nor is any single alternative energy technology. But, it is likely to contribute to the transition away from big oil.
We are all familiar with the controversy over ethanol made from corn. Many argue it is not the resource it appears because of the energy needed to grow and convert it to ethanol. What is unique about the technology at the heart of this pilot plant is that it does not rely on corn.
Moreover, it draws ethanol from a material today considered not a resource, but a burden. Cellulosic technology wrings ethanol from yard trimmings, the remains of processed crops, and wood waste – a lot of which is currently tossed into landfills.
If you think about it, oil is just really, really, really old dead plants. Cellulosic technology relies on plants that died a lot more recently. But, the end result – energy – is the same.
Our own Lonnie Ingram, a distinguished professor of microbiology, came up with the innovation to make this possible. He will tell you more about it in a moment. Let me just say for now, Dr. Ingram's achievement is recognized worldwide. In fact, the U.S. Patent Office ceremonially designated his invention as the nation's 5 millionth patent in 1991.
As with many revolutionary ideas, Dr. Ingram's process has taken awhile to gain traction. And although it has come a long way, it still is not ready for prime time.
The goal of this plant is to reduce the cost, making it better suited for industrial scale production.
Let me emphasize again: There is no silver bullet to solving Florida's or the nation's energy needs. Cellulosic ethanol is just one of many likely new energy sources. But, with that caveat, it could be a big one. Florida is a year-round growing state, which means our crops and forests make a lot of unused cellulose.
Dr. Ingram estimates that Florida could produce as much as half of the 10 billion gallons of petroleum it consumes from growing more energy crops and tapping the cellulose we currently throw away or leave unused.
This pilot plant is also important for another reason. New York Times Columnist Tom Friedman is among a lot of people who argue that the next big technology revolution will center on green energy technology.
If they are right, then the University of Florida and the State of Florida ought to be a part of it.
UF has a history of research on alternative energy, particularly solar energy, dating at least as far back as the 1970s. This pilot plant will update that legacy. So will the prototype development laboratory in Rhines Hall, the other half of the state-designated Center of Excellence that oversees these two research facilities.
We know cellulosic ethanol won't be the only answer. But every drop we produce is a drop we don't import, both in Florida and nationally.
Hopefully, with the help of this plant, it may someday be enough to make price spikes and gas lines a thing of the past.
Thank you.
Bernie Machen