Biomass-to-Ethanol Bacteria

A genetically engineered E. coli bacteria that produces fuel ethanol from biomass waste such as corn stover is being used as the basis for a commercial ethanol plant currently under development.

BC International plans to build a 30-million-gallon biomass-to-ethanol plant in Jennings, La, based on the genetically engineered bacteria. The plant, due to be operational by the end of 2006, will use sugarcane waste as the main feedstock.

I love this stuff. Toss a couple of genes from yeast into a bacteria and now all that left over agricultural waste that used to be burned to get rid of it can now be turned into a useful form of energy.

via Green Car Congress