Spidaman, it's a shame the US Gov., whether through the DOE or any other agency, has not fully committed to building one plant using the Bluefire technology! I think the disaster with Solyndra has had a negative effect on their optimism on cellulosic ethanol.
BFRE has essentially already proven out their technology from their Izumi, Japan experience, and the economics were also good, since the cost of many cellulosic raw materials is much lower than the price of corn. The main cost issue is the price of actual plant construction, which remains a huge problem for a start-up company like Bluefire.
Now, it seems the US Gov. is basically out of the picture, unless past DOE grant funds will somehow hinder things. We will need to wait and see about such issues. I do believe that Bluefire is still going to succeed, and the Chinese companies and Gov. should have enough desire from their own national interests to work out a complete financial arrangement with Bluefire to fund the Fulton plant.
IMHO, the total success of Fulton is needed by both Bluefire and the Chinese to pave the way for multiple plants in both countries. I also think Fulton WILL be successful, and after it has been built and producing for a short time, there should be much planning and financing of additional plants in both nations.
