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Arizona scientists, companies turning algae into jet fuel

Arizona researchers and private companies are hot on the trail of the latest biofuel golden goose — turning giant vats of slimy green algae into a renewable, lower-emissions jet fuel.

Scottsdale-based PetroSun Inc. is building a vast algae farm on the Gulf Coast to use for biofuel production, with a portion of the property set aside for the production of “experimental jet fuel.”

Arizona State University’s research arm is also getting into the game, securing $3 million in funding to develop algae that can be turned into kerosene.

It all sound lovely, but if you’ve ever smelled a pool of algae, I doubt you’d want to be anywhere near one of these plants.

It’s been estimated that an algae pool the size of Maryland would provide enough bio-fuel to take care of the United States’ fuel requirements for a year. And to be honest, who really needs Maryland anyway?