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The article focuses on the state of ethanol development as biofuel in the U.S. Despite the financial and political support provided by former U.S. president George W. Bush and current president Barack Obama cellulosic ethanol has not achieved commercial recognition compared with corn kernel-based ethanol's success. According to Craig Cox, Midwest vice president of Environmental Working Group, food and agricultural experts have raised issues regarding the competing use of corn as food and fuel.

The article reports on the partnership of ExxonMobil Corp. and Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI) of California to develop algae-derived biofuels. The two companies aim to develop genetically engineered photosynthetic algae that will produce a hydrocarbon that can be converted into fuels for existing cars through present oil refineries. The partnership of the two companies is a potential because of the success of SGI in engineering algae and ExxonMobil will finance the said project.

The article reports on the biofuels action plan released by the Bush Administration to speed up the development of sustainable biofuels industry. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer said that the plan responds to the goal of U.S. President George W. Bush of reducing U.S. gasoline consumption by 20% over the next 10 years by investing in renewable and alternative fuel sources, increasing vehicle efficiency and developing alternative-fuel vehicles.

The article reports that oil company Chevron Corp. and paper company Weyerhauser have formed a joint venture, called Catchlight Energy, which will focus on developing transportation fuels from renewable nonfood sources. Catchlight Energy will research and develop technology for converting cellulose-based biomass into low-carbon biofuels.

The article reports that oleochemical manufacturers are concerned over the impact of a federal tax incentive on the industry. Oleochemical executives claim that the oil tax break meant to encourage the production of renewable biofuels is having the unintended consequence of threatening the continued existence of the industry. Oleochemical manufacturers and small biodiesel refiners have partnered to stop oil companies from taking advantage of the tax break.