Grass Could Be Future Energy Source

Up the interstate from St. Louis, in Champaign-Urbana, an Englishman is working away on a plan to free America from its dependence on foreign oil. The work revolves around Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), a grass that came to this country from Asia. It is a botanical oddity at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Now some experts are saying it could be a source of fuel.

Experts like Stephen Long, a professor at the University of Illinois, says miscanthus returns five units of energy for every two expended in its production and development into ethanol.

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