MSU researchers say new crop could produce affordable biodiesel

It’s a gamble that farmer Bruce Wright believes is worth taking.

For the first time this year, Wright planted 50 acres of the European oilseed camelina on his farm along Springhill Road.

The reason? The plant is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart, and that’s something people will pay for.

"It’s got a lot of properties that sound like they can be very beneficial," he said.

But Montana State University researchers see another benefit.

Camelina can be used to make biodiesel, an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel fuel. And they say it can be produced for much less than other biodiesel crops, for the first time making the fuel competitive in price with its petroleum counterpart.

By WALT WILLIAMS, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2005/05/19/news/02biodieselmontana.txt

Institute for Biobased Products: http://www.montana.edu/biobased/