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Who's not mad at Newt Gingrich for something the presidential candidate says?
Add the algae guys to the list of Newt-haters.
In an open letter, Algenol Biofuels CEO Paul Woods lashed out at Newt for calling ethanol-producing algae “weird.”
“Before long, Mr. Gingrich will be pumping our product into his car's gas tank,” Woods writes. “I certainly look forward to seeing that photograph.”
Bonita Springs-based Algenol has received $25 million in grants from the federal government and $10 million in subsidies from county government to build a plant in Lee County. The company plans to produce ethanol from algae it will grow in outdoor sealed containers.
Woods and his partners have already invested $70 million in the venture and an undisclosed Asian energy company has invested another $100 million in Algenol more recently.
“In recent weeks, those of us in the algae-to-fuel business have been thrilled to hear President Obama's support for our efforts in developing the cheapest, cleanest alternative fuel,” Woods says. “What a pity that Mr. Gingrich has never been to our facility, nor ever spoken to us as America's largest algae company, yet blasts domestic companies like ours who are using their talents and resources to solve a national crisis.”
Maybe a debate about government funding of alternative energy might be in order.
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