Etna panel considers growing biofuels crop - Other Community News - Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development

The Pataskala Standard
Published October 14, 2011

By Larry Fugate

ETNA — It will soon be winter, but that's not stopping Mark Schaff from thinking about planting a large field of sunflowers that could harvest rewards from a biofuels experiment in Etna Township.

Schaff is a member of the township's Economic Development Committee. On Feb. 17 the group discussed the project that he strongly advocates to use open township fields for a pilot project to plant enough sunflowers to produce biofuels.

Schaff hopes the biofuels could be used in township vehicles to supplement gasoline and reduce government expenses.

There are active experiments under way in North Carolina and Utah, he said. The Economic Development Committee will conduct a phone conference with officials in the two states to talk about the experimental projects.

Schaff told the township trustees the committee hopes to present a report before the end of the year.

On March 17, township officials met with Ohio Department of Transportation officials along Ohio 158 about using a strip of land along the rural highway for the initial planting. Some highway officials were concerned the towering plants would obstruct the view of motorists. It is possible that the committee will look for other unused land in the township for the experimental planting.

Read the full story on The Pataskala Standard website.