54 



Six percent goes to aquatic biomass and 9 percent, 50 percent 

 more, to terrestial biomass which, I gather, you think has very 

 little hope compared to aquatic. 



Dr. Ryther. I think, in terms of large-scale contributions to our 

 energy budget that probably terrestial systems are much more 

 limited than the marine. I think, in the short term the terrestial is 

 going to be able to produce a much — make a much bigger contribu- 

 tion than the aquatic. 



In the long run, I think, we have got to look at the ocean where 

 we have the space to do this. 



Mr. Studds. Did I understand you to say that you and others of 

 your colleagues who are experts in the field were unaware, at least 

 until recently, that the Department of Energy was even interested 

 in the subject? 



Dr. Ryther. I found out about it, as I said, by accident. I was 

 talking with a person I know in Louisiana State who was growing 

 duck weed and found out somehow by accident. To my knowledge, 

 there has been no advertisement of this, of the fact that they would 

 entertain proposals or that there was such a program. 



Mr. Studds. You were not overwhelmed by the announcement 

 this morning that we have six full-time professionals working in 

 the field in the Department of Energy? 



Dr. Ryther. No. 



Mr. Studds. Were you aware of the Gas Research Institute proj- 

 ect which was described earlier today? 



Dr. Ryther. Yes, I was and have been for a number of years. I 

 have been following it with a great deal of interest and I have 

 known Dr. Wheeler North for many years and Dr. Neushul. 



Mr. Studds. So what you are saying to us, if I understand you 

 correctly, is that our most experienced folks in this field have 

 neither been gathered nor even had their views solicited by the 

 Department of Energy at this point. 



Dr. Ryther. I have found some lack in bringing together a group 

 of peers to either evaluate ongoing programs or to suggest new 

 ones. 



Mr. Studds. I don't have the heart to suggest you stop by the 

 Department of Energy, even if you could find it, before you go back 

 to Woods Hole. 



Dr. Ryther. I have mixed feelings about the fact that the gentle- 

 men are no longer here. I am probably cutting my own throat in 

 saying that other people ought to be solicited to share this pie but, 

 nevertheless, I do feel that this is a lack. 



Mr. Studds. I appreciate that. 



Mr. Emery? 



Mr. Emery. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 



I guess I can only observe that this is further proof that we can't 

 turn to the Department of Energy for a solution to all of our 

 energy problems. Indeed, it is a little disconcerting to find the 

 Department of Energy has not been aware of some work that has 

 been going on for time. 



I wonder if you have had an opportunity to examine the results 

 of some of these biomass funding projects that Mr. Adams listed for 

 us this morning. I know that you have been a recipient of some of 

 these grants. Have you had a chance to observe the work generally. 



