Stoel Rives, LLP has decided to sponsor the 2009 Algae Biomass Summit ("2009 ABS").  The Algal Biomass Organization ("ABO")  is hosting the 2009 ABS in San Diego this October 7-9th.   The event will take place at the Marriot San Diego Hotel & Marina. 

This year’s ABS will discuss the emerging issue of algae as a feedstock for biofuels and other products.  In an earlier article (available here), oil giant Exxon-Mobil’s $600 million investment into this area marks a significant upward trend of interest in this area.  Exxon’s investment involves a partnership with Synthetic Genomics, a biotechnology company founded by the genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter.   Venter, along with other leaders in the algae biofuels world, will be attending the 2009 ABS, and will also be the opening keynote speaker.

Shortly after Exxon’s announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") announced that it will measure the greenhouse gas impacts of algae-based biofuels in its final rule to implement the renewable fuels standard (for the article, click here).  Algae as a renewable feedstock for biofuel is a hot area of development and those that are interested in getting involved and learning more about it, should consider attending the 2009 ABS.

Registration is currently open.  Those interested in taking advantage of early registration prices must register  for the 2009 ABS prior to September 1st.