Sapphire Energy has a genetically altered algae that produces hydrocarbons as part of its metabolism. The stuff can be pumped into a refinery and cracked like crude oil to produce gasoline, diesel, and heating oil.

I tried to find out if they have over the counter stock, but it looks like the venture capitalists are all over this.

This only converts the energy of sunlight into a polluting fuel, but at least it could get us off of our dependency on imported oil. If congress would give algae a subsidy the way that they have given corn fuels a subsidy then this stuff would be up and running in a few years.

That’s the trouble with good ideas – they need someone to commit to them. Algae farmers don’t have a strong lobby.