U.S. Representative Jay Inslee Calls Clean Energy "Our Generation's Legacy" at 2008 Algal Biomass Summit

SEATTLE, Oct 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The 2008 Algae Biomass Summit, hosted by Byrne and Company Limited and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, concluded Friday, October 24th with a second day of presentations discussing the role of algae in addressing growing global energy needs. Friday's presentations focused on key issues facing the young algae industry such as the use of genetically modified algae strains, harvesting of pollution-caused wild algal blooms, algae's role in global food supplies and the environmental sustainability of algae.

 

The conference was energized by the mid-day remarks from Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) who made a passionate appeal for conference attendees to engage with their Congressional delegations and help educate them on the powerful potential of algae to serve as a renewable energy source.

 

"I ask you to contact your Congressmen and tell them what's going on in your (algae) labs. You must become engaged with Washington, D.C. through work with the Algal Biomass Organization," said Inslee. "Just as the generation before us changed the world through victory in World War Two, our generation can change the world by providing long-term clean energy sources."

 

Additional sessions included an in-depth look at the prospects for algal-based jet fuel in the commercial aviation market. Representatives from airline industry leaders such as The Boeing Company, Airbus, UOP (a Honeywell Company) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines outlined steps they are taking to address carbon dioxide emissions related to air travel, including the use of algal-based jet fuel.

 

"Whether for use in commercial aviation or transportation, we've seen this week that algae-based biofuels will have a role to play," said Billy Glover, managing director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and co-chair of the Algal Biomass Organization. "The success of this year's conference was due to the powerful blend of leaders from science, finance and business, coming together to discuss real solutions utilizing algae."

 

More than 700 representatives attended the two-day conference, which featured nearly 50 presenters and 29 posters. A full list of speakers and posters can be found on the ABO website.

 

The conference was designed to not only provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of technical information related to algae, but also as a venue to connect a range of people across the industry. An executive with one of those participants, Biofuel Producers of America (BPA), found tremendous value in attending.

 

"We have been following a very well defined technical and commercial roadmap strategy," said Rick Johnson, vice president, Sales and Marketing at BPA. "We believe that we will look back at participation in this conference and clearly identify it as a critical step in our commercialization efforts. The information, relationships and contacts developed and nurtured at this conference will prove to be fundamental to our continued success."

 

About the ABO

 

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for the development of commercially-viable transportation and power generation fuels as well as other non-energy applications for algae biomass. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website: www.algalbiomass.org

SOURCE: Algal Biomass Organization