NAPLES, Fla., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Algenol Biofuels, developers of DIRECT TO ETHANOL(TM), the most advanced third generation biofuels technology, today announced the appointment of David McCarthy as Vice President. Mr. McCarthy, who most recently served as Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce, will lead government affairs, and will support the company's activities with non-government organizations (NGO's) and the energy industry.

"We believe 2009 will be a watershed year for Algenol as energy policy and decision makers look to address America's growing need for energy security and the climate change challenges we are facing. Given Algenol can provide a unique economic and environmentally-friendly solution today, we want to ensure these decision and policy makers are well aware of how we can contribute to and be an integral part of the solution. We are excited that David has joined Algenol, and believe his experience will ensure that these decision makers understand the important role Algenol can and should play," said Paul Woods, Chairman and CEO of Algenol.

"2009 is the year that Algenol will commence production of commercial scale quantities of high quality ethanol from blue-green algae, not only at cost factors competitive with other fuel alternatives, but with a zero carbon footprint," said Dr. Craig Smith, Algenol's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "David will help government policy makers, non-government organizations, and the energy industry understand how we can work together to factor algae-based ethanol into the energy blueprint for the U.S."

Mr. McCarthy served as Chief Counsel for Energy and Environment for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce and, since 2007, as Minority Counsel for the Committee. McCarthy had previously held positions at the U.S. Department of the Interior and the House Committee on Appropriations. He has also practiced law for several years in Washington, D.C. and headed the Washington, D.C. office of IPALCO Enterprises and its subsidiary, The Indianapolis Power and Light Company.

About Algenol Biofuels

Algenol Biofuels, Inc., a privately owned company, was founded in early 2006 and is engaged in broad research and development efforts to develop industrial-scale production systems to make ethanol from algae. The company's DIRECT TO ETHANOL(TM) process is the most advanced third generation biofuels technology that produces industrial-scale, low cost ethanol using algae, sunlight, CO2 and seawater. It is the only end-to-end commercial process that stabilizes and reduces CO2 levels. Algenol is slated for commercial sales of ethanol in 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.algenolbiofuels.com or contact Tonya Dubois at 239-498-2000.

SOURCE Algenol Biofuels