Maui sugar co. to research biofuel
Written on April 12, 2010
The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., is seeking to ramp up its renewable energy production in a partnership with the University of Hawaii and federal government.
Federal agencies are investing up to $12 million for biofuel research at HC&S, which is a division of Alexander & Baldwin (NYSE: ALEX).
The Office of Naval Research is giving $2 million for five years for complementary crop and technology assessments. In a separate project, the Department of Energy is providing at least $2 million for UH research at HC&S.
A&B’s sugar plantation on Maui produces 7 percent of the island’s total energy and 35 percent of its renewable energy.
The projects could be impacted by decisions on water use for HC&S by the state Commission on Water Resource Management. HC&S’ use of water for irrigation has been challenged by groups such as the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., Earthjustice and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
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