Sir Richard Branson to Build Cellulosic Ethanol Refineries

It looks as if one of the world's leading business luminaries sees potential in cellulosic ethanol.
Herald.com | 10/19/2005 | Virgin Group's leader eyes Florida:
by Jim Wyss
"If being the father of space tourism isn't enough, Branson is also taking on another problem -- the global fuel crisis. After recently telling MSNBC that he wanted to build an oil refinery, Branson said he has modified his thinking to focus on environmentally friendly cellulosic ethanol refineries. The plants would use cutting-edge technology to turn staple grains into fuel.
''[The technology] is in its infancy but if it succeeds, and I think it will -- it will basically replace conventional oil and we'll actually have a clean world one day,'' he said. ``So yes, we're going into the oil industry but we plan to go into it in a way that we believe will drive down the price of oil but equally help the environment.''
A team of technicians is currently scouring the Equator for ideal sites to set up three to four cellulosic ethanol plants within the next year to 18 months, he said."