U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge is promoting North Carolina ethanol.
The Lillington Democrat was in Raleigh today, visiting a lab at N.C. State's Centennial Campus that aims to produce the biofuel from poplar trees.
Currently, corn is the most cost-effective source, but Dr. Vincent Chiang believes that by genetically modifying the trees, he can make them competitive.
Etheridge said that that cellulosic ethanol could help reduce dependence on foreign oil.
"The young drivers are more likely to accept it," he said. "But as it becomes more available, I think all drivers will accept it because Americans want to wean themselves off the Middle East."
On his way out, Etheridge told Chiang that he is "as important as our top generals" to national security.
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