US Senate Majority Leader Tours Nevada Greenhouse Complex - UNR NevadaNews
Nevada Senator Harry Reid toured the Nevada Greenhouse Complex Wednesday, learning about renewable energy and agriculture projects taking place in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno.
On the tour, Reid saw a biomass project that focuses on converting algae to biofuels and a collaborative greenhouse project where produce is grown using hydroponic methods. He praised the new greenhouse projects that are focused on renewable energy and the development of high-valued crops.
"This is what the university should be doing," Reid said in a press conference following the tour, "experiments that transmit to and benefit the public sector."
Dr. John Cushman, professor and director of CABNR's graduate program in biochemistry and molecular biology, showed Reid ponds growing halophytic green algae - algae that can grow in salt water that is two times as strong as sea water - and discussed its ability to produce oil and starch for biodiesel and ethanol production.
UNR NevadaNewsUS Senate Majority Leader Tours Nevada Greenhouse ComplexThe final stop on the tour was a visit to the Nevada Naturals hydroponic vegetable production greenhouse, a project currently underway in partnership with the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station. While there, the senator talked with Nevada Naturals Sen. Reid Tours Renewable Projects at the University of Nevada Harry Reid green in Reno; tours UNR renewable energy projects