For Americans concerned with the high cost of fueling the family vehicle, a future solution may have some down-home Southern flavor.

Scientists at Mississippi's four research universities are seeking a viable alternative to petroleum as a source of reliable, renewable, and economical energy. As they see it, the key is biomass—basically, masses of plant materials and similar living organisms.

They're also optimistic that the state could become a leader in developing biomass for energy production. The U.S. Department of Energy agrees and is providing $1.8 million for a three-year research project to find out.

The consortium includes Jackson State and Mississippi State universities and the universities of Mississippi and Southern Mississippi. Scientists with DOE, Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Department of Defense, Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, and industry also are participating.

"Currently, the most common use of biomass for energy is ethanol production from corn, but both the technology and economics need refining," said Mississippi State's Mark E. Zappi, director of the Mississippi University Research Consortium for the Utilization of Biomass.

"Each year, the earth produces biomass with enough energy potential to meet eight times the current global energy requirement," said Zappi, a chemical engineering professor.

"The key to unlocking its potential is developing technologies to make recovery costs feasible and to keep the long-term process stable." Zappi said Mississippi has the resources to be a leader in the tapping of biomass for energy use.

"The byproducts of agriculture—including gin trash, poultry litter, and rice hulls—have great potential for production of ethanol, methane, and other commercial chemicals related to energy production," he explained.

State university scientists initially will investigate two current ethanol production techniques to analyze whether they can be made more commercially feasible.