June 23, 2009

ITHACA -- A new era in green energy begins at Cornell University.
     The university's Biofuels Research Laboratory officially opened its doors Tuesday.
     Inside the 11,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art building, scientists and students will study sustainable and economical biofuel production.
     The Cornell team focuses on creating cellulosic ethanol -- a process which converts sugars from grasses and biomass into fuel.
     “This laboratory is very much about contributing to energy security for the State of New York and for the country, for training the next generation of scientists and engineers who are going to address these problems.  And we need to do more for economic development in Central New York,” said biological and environmental engineering professor Larry Walker.
     The lab took a year-and-a-half to build and cost $6 million.
     It's in the east wing of Riley-Robb Hall.