Finding fuels of the future

As the population of the Earth grows and demand for energy increases, more effort is put into the research of alternative fuels – and more fuel is added to a broader debate.

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been open for five years and is leading the charge in ethanol research and workforce development and training in the field.

NCERC originally was funded by a grant from the federal government, and the state built the facility.

Months ago, around the time gasoline prices reached their peak, mainstream interest in ethanol production and alternative fuels was high.

“Americans are a fickle bunch,” Ballinger said. “But you really have to ask yourself about the long term. Do you really think petroleum is the long-term answer? If everybody’s honest, they would say no. It’s a fact that we’re running out of petroleum.”

Telegraph