By now, this is old news, but this is the first time I’ve been able to really sit down at my computer. The Clog has already mentioned it, and the San Francisco Chronicle is practically ejaculating over it. British Petroluem has granted $500 million to an Energy Biosciences Institute headed by Cal. A Berkeley faculty member will serve as director of the institute, and a BP rep will work underneath him. University of Illinois is also involved in the deal; it’s receiving $100 million of the grant for bioengineering in agriculture.

Finally, something the Oakies could truly celebrate, except that - wait - they’re still living in the trees. The grant’s a fantastic deal for the university, garnering more media attention and allowing it to continue to shape science and technology through the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It’s an unprecedented deal for Cal and may prove to benefit more than just the school. With global warming on the rise and scientists getting their panties all twisted about it, funded research for alternative fuels is a step in the right direction. And it makes sense that UC would be chosen for the project - it’s progressive, it’s world-renowned, and it has the expertise.