Feb. 23, 2007 -- The state Senate Energy Committee Thursday unanimously approved an ambitious plan by Gov. Brad Henry to help position Oklahoma as a global leader in biofuels.

Senate Bill 510 would establish the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center (OBC) to coordinate biofuels research and development at Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, and the Ardmore-based Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

“Oklahoma is poised to continue as a global leader in energy and agriculture with the creation of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center,” Henry says. “The OBC would help diversify our state’s economy, protect our environment, create high-paying jobs and contribute to a revitalization of rural Oklahoma.”

Biofuels research supported by the OBC would include development of feedstocks (primarily cellulosic biomass), collection and transportation, conversion technologies, and distribution.

Because the center would provide a particular boost for the state’s rural and agricultural economy, it would also feature an education component to help interested farmers and ranchers make the transition to energy crops and adopt best management practices.

SB 510 is authored by state Sen. Jay Paul Gumm (D-Durant). During his State-of-the-State address, Henry asked the Legislature to fund the OBC with $40 million over the next four years.