October 9, 2009

Region Could House Algae-Based Fuels Research Hub

San Diego is a step closer toward establishing a key research hub for algae-based fuels.

In a 308-114 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Energy and Water Development and Appropriations Act on Oct. 1, which sets aside $750,000 for the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology.

The SD-CAB consortium was created last year by a group of researchers from UC San Diego, San Diego State University, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The funding will support SD-CAB’s primary goal of creating a facility for developing algae-based gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Altogether, the measure designates $33.5 billion for energy, water and nuclear programs in fiscal 2010.

The Energy and Water Development and Appropriations bill is expected to pass the Senate in the coming days and then be sent to the President to be signed into law.

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