Boston firm building biofuel factories in Ukraine

The association plans to build 20 factories across the country that would make biofuel pellets made from a crop called miscanthus. Each factory would be surrounded by 10,000 acres of farmland for the crops. Miscanthus, which is similar to corn, would be harvested, dried and compressed to make pellets that can be burned for fuel. Miscanthus is widely regarded as one of the best crops to make biofuels with, Robertson said, but it initially will have to be brought into the country. The pellets could be used to heat buildings and eventually run power plants. Ukraine has been trying to reduce its dependence on Russia for natural gas after the conflict in Crimea. The country gets much of its gas from Russia, and the ability to heat homes and power buildings is often at the whim of Russian leaders. Earlier this year, Ukraine stopped buying natural gas from Russia after a price dispute amid an ongoing territorial dispute.