Originally published April 21 2005
Oregon's House Committee on Environment hears several talks about alternative energy at Oregon State
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Oregon's House Committee on Environment and Oregon State's faculty heard several energy experts discuss alternative energy at Oregon State University. The lectures touched on topics as varied as wave power, nuclear energy and biodiesel fuel, while one lecturer claimed that infrastructure was the central problem with rising gas prices, not supply. Much of the discussion was centered on nuclear power as a safe, effective, and environmentally sound source of electricity. Though there were several concerns raised about just how safe nuclear power is, lecturers pointed out that nuclear power has come a long was since Three Mile Island and it is now a very safe energy source.
With interest in the environmental and alternative energy sources on the rise, some Oregon State University faculty are spending considerable time researching future power sources.
On Tuesday, OSU President Ed Ray welcomed the state House Committee on Environment to campus, where the legislators heard from energy experts on options for powering the state into tomorrow, from a renewed call for nuclear power plants to conversion of motor pool vehicles to biodiesel.
Much of this inquiry investigates solar, wind and biofuel energy resources, so Ray felt OSU was an appropriate host for the committee's hearing.
Committee Chairman Rep. Gordon Anderson, R-Grants Pass, opened the meeting by expressing the need to look beyond oil for the nation's energy needs.
"We're looking for ways to replace some petroleum sources," he said.
OSU faculty offered recommendations regarding energy sources being studied on campus, including wave energy, biofuels, fuel cells and solar energy.
Among those on a faculty panel was David Hackleman, Linus Pauling Chairman in chemical engineering.
In the university's biofuels plant, in the basement of Gleeson Hall, Hackleman and his group are converting bio mass, mainly agriculture-based residue, into fuels such as ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, syn-gas and biodiesel.
So far, they produce only 20 to 40 gallons every few weeks, but Hackleman hopes the plant will eventually generate enough fuel to power campus-owned diesel vehicles.
They've tested the biodiesel, and it powers vehicles just as well as petroleum diesel fuel.
But unlike current petroleum diesel, it doesn't emit sulphur and other harmful pollutants, he said.
To make biofuels from our existing bio mass waste products to serve Oregonians, and help lead the nation in this process."
Tuesday in the basement of Gleeson Hall, 2115 S.W. Campus Way.
Among the other speakers was Michael McGarey, manager of state programs with the Washington, D.C.-based Nuclear Energy Institute.
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