Mich. researchers testing bio-fuel crops at old dump near Detroit

Oct. 20 -- A former dump near Detroit is being used as an experiment to grow crops that could be used to create renewable bio-fuels.

Michigan State University is growing crops such as sunflowers, corn and soybeans on 2 acres of the 110-acre site for research into possible reuse of this and other brownfield locations.

The work is taking place in conjunction with DaimlerChrysler, the state of Michigan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NextEnergy of Detroit.

The crops harvested this fall in Ross Township will be tested for their potential for refinement into renewable fuels.

"This site may seem like a drop in the bucket, but we´re looking at the possibility of taking land that isn´t productive and using it to both learn and produce," Michigan State Professor Kurt Thelen said.