Weed harvested for Biofuel

In the Peoria area… some local farmers are planting a new crop in hopes of helping the country’s dependence on foreign oil.

The crop is called Pennycress.

It’s typically a weed found in fields across the United States.

It grows during the winter months… and researchers are trying to develop the crop to produce bio-diesel fuel.

Peter Johnsen is with iNovaCom Parnters. He says, “Pennycress has a very unique ability to survive the winter and put seeds up in late spring. And that seed contains about 36 percent oil. So it’s a great crop to make bio-fuels. It also leaves you time to plant in the spring. You can double crop.”

In the current economic situation… the president and C-E-O of BioFuels Manufacturers of Illinois says funding has been an issue.

They are asking the state for funding to help build a bio-diesel plant in Central Illinois.

Sudhir Seth says, “This is more than 40 billion dollars. We’ve been able to raise almost half of it through other sources. We are asking the state for a guarantee of 22 million dollars.”

25 acres of the Pennycress has been planted in the field in Mapleton.

Researchers say they are still looking into Pennycress’ effect on the soil… but currently believe the crop will not take away from the corn and soybean production during the spring and summer.