Trump Wants More Attention For His New Algae Biofuel Showcase
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US President Donald Trump has famously transformed the magnificent Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool into a high profile showcase for the algae biofuel industry, and he stands firm in his faith that the tiny green microalgae can produce renewable fuels at scale. In fact, on Monday, November 2, the President held his all-important closing message for the 2026 midterm election cycle right there at the Reflecting Pool. Hey, maybe Trump knows something about algae biofuel…
The Great Reflecting Pool Algae Biofuel Experiment
The Reflecting Pool is a massive body of shallow water that extends from the foot of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Situated on filled ground in former marshlands, the Reflecting Pool provides a golden opportunity to showcase the ability of the domestic biofuel industry to take advantage of the built infrastructure, rather than taking up valuable farmland with conventional energy crops like corn or soybeans.
Although algae cultivation was probably not the original intention of the Reflecting Pool, it has been a perennial host to algae ever since its construction in the 1920’s, with the humid environment and temperate climate of DC lending a hand.
In earlier years, the Pool was drained and refilled twice a year to control the growth. By the 1990’s, the structure was clearly sinking into the marshes, sparking calls for a major structural overhaul and the addition of a water circulating system.
The soup-to-nuts rehab was completed in 2012, and yet the algae persisted. Finally, when Trump took office for the second time in January of 2025, he lit upon a brilliant idea of turning lemons into lemonade. The Reflecting Pool would be re-made as a monument to the domestic algae biofuel industry.
By the summer of 2026, the transformation was complete and the algae were thriving, as confirmed by satellite imagery. Others mocked, but the President stood by the plan. After all, biomass is a key element in his “American Energy Dominance” policy, and where better to showcase biofuel than in the nation’s capitol, to be seen and admired by millions of tourists.
And so, that explains why Trump chose the Reflecting Pool as the seemingly incongruous scene of his Election Day eve closing message, as reported somewhat incredulously by The Guardian among many others.
“On the eve of a consequential election day, with polls indicating that most voters feel the US president has grown too focused on building projects in the nation’s capital, he stood in front of the newly opened reflecting pool to discuss – in detail – changes to the pool’s pipe, the grass surrounding the area and granite,” observed The Guardian.
What Does US President Donald Trump Know About Algae Biofuel?
Algae biofuel surfaced regularly on the pages of CleanTechnica in the early 2000’s, with the high oil content and rapid growth cycle of algae being the attractions along with the potential for developing next-generation farming and extraction systems leading to a competitive renewable energy resource (see more algae background here).
Not much progress has been made since then, and stakeholders in the field have weathered much skepticism if not downright mockery. A seal of approval from the President of the United States of America is just what the industry needs to get to the next level.
Indeed, a fresh round of activity has surfaced in recent years, with the UK firm HutanBio being one example. The startup aims to generate profitability by leveraging the carbon-capturing angle of algae farming.
Earlier this year Hutan signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Irish firm Utopia World Investment and the biodiesel refiner Wakud International to scale up its algae farming system, with Oman being the location. “Our unique microalgae strain, Sphaerica, is grown in seawater, on non-arable coastal land, using CO₂ and sunlight creating a genuinely low-carbon biocrude stream that the industry currently lacks and urgently needs,” HutanBio says of itself.
As described by HutanBio, Sphaerica yields up to ten times more oil than typical algae biofuel strains. Hutan expects the high level of productivity to dovetail with Oman’s high level of solar radiation, enabling it to leapfrog over its competitors.
More Algae Biofuel In The Pipeline
The Oman operation is set for operation at a demonstration scale before the end of 2027, which is just around the corner. Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Mazda is also beginning to crack the algae code.
On October 7, Mazda announced that its microalgae biofuel research program has nailed down support from NEDO, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan. The Mazda program is in early stages, with scale-up expected by the 2030’s. If all goes according to plan, Mazda will use its homemade algae biofuel to factory-fill the tanks of every diesel vehicle that rolls off its assembly lines.
Evidently Mazda does not anticipate that drivers can pump out algae biofuel at any corner gas station for their next fill-up. Still, it’s another sign that that years-long research programs are finally leading to commercial application.
For a glimpse into the future, check out newly published research from the Saitama University in Japan. Where conventional systems involve cultivating algae, drying it, and processing it to remove oils, the Saitama team has developed a strain of cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae) that can express free fatty acids outside of the cell and deposit them directly into a culture medium. Among other benefits, the Saitama system does not require destroying the algae with each harvesting cycle.
As for the US, ExxonMobil was the standard-bearer for early stage algae biofuel research throughout the early 2000’s. By 2017, the company was confident enough to put up millions for an elaborate advertising blitz that showcased its efforts to the world.
Or not, as the case may be. In 2019, Massachusetts State Attorney General Maura Healey filed suit against Exxon, alleging that the biofuel ads were deceptive. “Specifically, the complaint alleges that Exxon systematically and intentionally has misled Massachusetts investors about material climate-driven risks to its business and has deceived consumers about the central role its fossil fuel products play in causing climate change,” AG Healy’s office explained.
Exxon subsequently dropped the program altogether, but the lawsuit persists. Among the details coming to light is a deposition by an Exxon scientist who worked on the algae program. Under questioning by attorneys with the AG’s office, the scientist asserted that the claims in Exxon’s ads were “patently false,” and that he said as much to the company.
It’s too bad Exxon dropped the ball before Trump had a chance to pick up the algae biofuel torch. Oh, well. We’ll always have the Reflecting Pool…
Photo: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been host to thriving populations of algae ever since its construction in the 1920’s (cropped, courtesy of National Parks Service).
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