(26b) Next Generation Hydrocarbon Biorefineries

The recently passed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandates vastly increased production of renewable fuels at the same time as requiring a significant increase in fleet gas mileage. A good choice for renewable fuels is high energy-density hydrocarbons: green gasoline, green diesel, and green jet fuel. Recent cutting edge research has demonstrated a number of feasible pathways for the conversin of lignocellulosic biomass into these renewable hydrocarbon fuels. These pathways will be reviewed, and the interagency efforts to direct new research on biomass conversion will be described.