Algal Biomass Organization`s Executive Director Mary Rosenthal Testifies Before Congress on Benefits of Algae-Based Fuels

Publicly Available Testimony Highlights Algae`s Role as a Carbon-Reducing,
Sustainable Biofuel Feedstock and the Need for Financial and Regulatory Parity
to Support Development of Industry, Commercialization
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The Algal Biomass Organization`s (ABO) Executive Director Mary Rosenthal
testified before Congress today on the economic and environmental benefits of
algae-based fuels, as well as on steps legislators can take to ensure algae
receives benefits and financial incentives similar to those afforded to other
biofuel feedstocks. As the leading trade organization representing the broad
interests of the burgeoning algae industry, the ABO was asked to present
testimony to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy,
and Research, which has jurisdiction over energy and bio-based energy
production, on the status of 2nd and 3rd generation biofuel feedstocks.

During her testimony to the Subcommittee, Ms. Rosenthal outlined the key
benefits of algae-based fuels as compared to other feedstocks, including
commercial scalability, carbon dioxide recycling, use of non-arable land for
production, and the wide range of fuel products such as ethanol, biodiesel, and
biojet that can be derived from algae. Ms. Rosenthal reinforced the position of
the ABO and its more than 170 members organizations that algae are a
sustainable, renewable feedstock that will strengthen the United States` energy
independence should be a key component of a national low-carbon energy policy.

Rosenthal outlined three key actions that Congress can take to ensure parity for
the algae industry with other next generation feedstocks. Those recommendations
included:

1. Financial parity - Algae should receive the same tax incentives, subsidies
and other financial benefits that other renewable fuels, particularly cellulosic
biofuels, receive.

2. Regulatory parity - Algae is currently excluded from the majority of the
Renewable Fuel Standard, due to a 16 billion gallon carve out for cellulosic
biofuels. The carve out should be changed so that it is technology neutral, thus
allowing algae-based and other environmentally sustainable fuels to contribute
to our nation`s efforts to become energy independent.

3. Recognition of carbon dioxidereuse- Algae`s unique ability to turn carbon
dioxide into renewable fuels will allow the organism to play a significant role
in abating carbon emitted by industrial sources. Consequently, algae`s
beneficial reuse of carbon dioxide should be acknowledged and accounted for in
carbon capture and sequestration legislation.

A full copy of Ms. Rosenthal`s testimony is publicly available on the Algal
Biomass Organization`s website at: www.algalbiomass.org.

Ms. Rosenthal`s testimony reflected conclusions and policy positions drawn
during the organization`s recent 3rd annual Algae Biomass Summit, held on
October 7-9 in San Diego. The Algae Biomass Summit is the algae industry`s
premier global conference and is designed to highlight scientific advances and
encourage knowledge sharing to accelerate the development of algae-based
solutions for global energy, environmental and economic issues. The third annual
summit drew more than 700 attendees from across the industry (academia &
science, private & public sector, finance, etc.) and featured more than 70
expert speakers, 45 poster presentations and 25 exhibitors, providing attendees
a wide range of information and expertise on the algae industry.

About the ABO

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) is a non-profit organization whose mission
is to promote and advocate for the development of commercially-viable
transportation and power generation fuels as well as other non-energy
applications for algae biomass. Its membership is comprised of people, companies
and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including
its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations,
is available at the website: www.algalbiomass.org.

Scoville PR for ABO
John Williams, 206-625-0075
jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009