Algae advocates praise EPA findings

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A decision from Washington and the Environmental Protection Agency on the clean-energy future for biofuels supports industry findings, advocates said.

The EPA in its Renewable Fuels Standard found that biofuels could have a significant impact on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared with gasoline or diesel fuel.

The finding now classifies algae-based biodiesel and renewable diesel as an "advanced biofuel" under U.S. federal guidelines.

The EPA announcement is in step with a move by U.S. President Barack Obama to reach a comprehensive climate deal.

Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algal Biomass Organization, praised the leadership in Washington for looking to alternative and unconventional resources.

"But most important to our industry is the recognition by EPA that algae-based fuels reduce overall CO2 emissions on a lifecycle basis," she said. "This supports what we've been saying all along."

The EPA said algae-based biodiesel and algae-based renewable diesel could reduce emissions by more than 50 percent compared with conventional fuels.

Exxon Mobil said algae-based biofuels could generate as much as 2,000 gallons of fuel per acre per year, eclipsing palm tree, corn and sugar cane alternatives.