Biomass breakthrough in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Baystater’s are celebrating a biomass breakthrough in Springfield that could help soften our dependence on foreign oil.

Local scientists, politicians and city leaders toasted the team at UMASS this morning at the Federal Courthouse.

Their discovery creates ethanol from plants using a microbe found in the soil at the Quabbin Reservoir.

Development has been in the works for three years under the leadership of Dr. Susan Leschine a professor of microbiology.

Her team has now joined forces with Q-Teros to produce ethanol at Springfield factory, Solutia.

The possibilities this science brings are great.

Pilot plans call for Solutia to begin production later this year, creating the potential for hundreds of jobs.