RALEIGH (AP) -- North Carolina State University research into fuels made from soybeans, chicken waste and other agricultural products would get a boost from a bill approved by a Senate committee.
The panel gave a favorable vote to a bill that appropriates $5 million over the next two years to create a field laboratory in Duplin County where NC State could expand its biofuels research.
University scientists are studying ways to make fuel from a variety of crops such as switchgrass and industrial sweet potatoes, as well as agriculture byproducts such as wood chips and animal waste.
John Wynne, dean of NC State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, told the committee that North Carolina needs to look at biofuels made from sources other than corn. He says the state doesn't grow much corn and using it for fuel would cut into animal feed sources.
The measure goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee before it can be considered by the full Senate.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
