With a big boost from the government, algae is making headway as
a potential replacement for some of the 18 million barrels of
crude oil used daily nationwide. Not only has the federal
government invested heavily in the emerging biofuel, but the
military has stepped up as a potential customer. Algae biofuel,
while still experimental, also is attracting the attention of
big oil companies and commercial users including airlines and
manufacturers. Algae biofuel is an experimental source of
renewable energy that’s produced when algae produce a substance
that can be harvested and processed into crude oil. The crude
can then be processed in traditional oil refineries and
converted into fuels for transportation, such as diesel,
gasoline or jet fuel, or they can be used to replace the oils in
soaps, foods and pharmaceuticals. Algae use less overall carbon
than fossil fuels because the plants absorb carbon as they grow
and release it when their fuels are burnt, rather than just
releasing carbon during use, as is the c