Ya know, I've been of the opinion for quite a long time, that all we need to solve just about any problem is an american with an idea and investors looking to make a profit.
If the process is as efficient as they are claiming, it could very well have serious geopolitical ramifications over the next 30 years. Just about every large agribusiness would find this process to be useful. I can even imagine the possibility of having folx who grow crops specifically for the purpose of rendering them into oil. These people rock, and I hope for 2 things. First, that it works as stated in the article. Second, for developing it, I hope the investors make obscene amounts of money.
Do you recall how the media covered Ginger, which was a scooter?
Unless this mult-million dollar venture is a complete fraud, and I am with Howard Buffett betting it is not,this may be one of the most important news stories of the year. Yet, there is little coverage in the media.
Absolutely. Ayn Rand would be proud!
>> could very well have serious geopolitical ramifications over the next 30 years
I had the same thought. There is NO business that would not be affected. Old closed landfills could be "cleaned out" and made profitable for the second and third times, (A) as a raw material source and (B) eventually, re-opened space for recreation, real estate, restored wilderness, etc. Municipal entities could make deals to send all their garbage and recycling (mandatory in many places), and in return getting either cheap fuel oil for their town or money for the town coffers from selling garbage. Construction companies will become hugely profitable because they'll be able to dispose of their debris in a much more cost-effective fashion, which in turn could (theoretically) make it cheaper to live in cities. Taxpayers who've been forced to subsidize municipal incinerators will get a break (although we're still stuck with the outstanding bills.) And so on and so on. I'm sure Freepers will soon start identifying hundreds of obvious (and many not-so-obvious) plus-es to this technology.