ARDMORE, Okla. — Today, Oklahoma secured land for the world’s largest stand of switchgrass devoted to cellulosic ethanol production. Acknowledging concerns over ethanol production impacting food prices, Oklahoma advances switchgrass, a different type of energy crop, which has higher energy output than corn and does not compete with human or animal food sources.
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Oklahoma set to plant first-ever 1,000 acre switchgrass field
April 17, 2008 – 3:07 pm
What is Switchgrass?
April 17, 2008 – 3:00 pm
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a summer perennial grass that is native to North America. It is a natural component of the tall-grass prairie which covered most of the great Plains, but which also was also found on the prairie soils in the Black Belt of Alabama and Mississippi.
Because it is native to places like Oklahoma, switchgrass is resistant to many pests and plant diseases, and it is capable of producing high yields with very low applications of fertilizer. This means that the need for agricultural chemicals to grow switchgrass is relatively low. Switchgrass is also very tolerant of poor soils, flooding and drought, which are widespread agricultural problems across the plains states.
Governor Henry Urges Lawmakers to Keep Funding Commitment to Oklahoma Bioenergy Center
April 17, 2008 – 2:24 pm
Gov. Brad Henry is calling on the state Legislature this year to continue its commitment to the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC), a groundbreaking initiative to bolster renewable energy, promote environmental protection and help wean the United States from its overwhelming dependence on foreign oil.
The Governor successfully launched the OBC last year as part of his policy agenda. The center coordinates biofuels research and development being conducted at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. The OBC has already attracted more than $10 million in new funding beyond the $10 million that the state appropriated to it last year.