Chris Jennewein - Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ) launched the Congressional Algae Caucus to focus Congressional attention on the nascent algae industry.

Rep. Scott Peters, a Democrat from La Jolla, and a Republican congressman from Arizona took a small bipartisan step Wednesday to focus attention on the small but potentially vital new algae industry.

Peters and Rep. Matt Salmon launched the Congressional Algae Caucus, an effort to provide a forum for members of Congress and their staffs to learn about and interact with the nascent algae industry.

“My hope is that the Algae Caucus is a place for bipartisan discussion on how to diversify our energy policy, while also informing members of Congress about the jobs and partnerships the algae industry is creating, including at the University of California San Diego with the new California Center for Algae Biotechnology,” Peters said.

The announcement about the caucus said that with new production facilities planned or operating around the U.S., the algae industry is rapidly emerging as a potential solution to many of the energy, food, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world.

There is more information about the new caucus online.

Peter's 52nd District includes Coronado, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos, 4S Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Poway, among other communities in San Diego.