Hawaii Biotech Tissue Culture Center ($3,500,000)
The Hawaii Biotech Tissue Culture Center will complete research and development of a high-yielding jatropha curcas biodiesel feedstock and expand its laboratory in order to optimize production capability and begin full commercial production.
Expansion of the laboratory from 8,500 to 20,000 square feet will allow the center to significantly increase production from an estimated 2.2 million plantlets per year to 20 million per year.
With funding primarily from federal and state grants, the center has already dedicated 14 months to extensive research and development by planting and monitoring 8,000 mature jatropha trees and selecting 38 superior high-yielding stock suitable for producing four times the yield of the average seedling tree now in cultivation. Funding from the Department of Energy would take this project to the next level so that this renewable energy source will become more economically feasible for plantings in Hawaii, Florida, southern Texas, California, and overseas.
Recipient: Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, HI 96720
Why this is a good use of taxpayer dollars: The jatropha plant has tremendous potential as a renewable fuel source, particularly in comparison with other biodiesel crops. Jatropha grows on marginal non-agricultural land, has low water and fertilizer demands, will not displace food crops, and produces oil that burns with virtually no sulfur emissions.
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