Researchers hope to turn Black Hawk County grasses into fuel

Researchers are also studying the prairie grasses' benefits in decreasing soil erosion and water pollution from nutrients washing into rivers and streams.

"Combustion of the prairie biomass yielded about 57 percent of the energy value of coal; however stack emissions, air pollutants and the potential for slagging and fouling were lower," a project report said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn't defined any variety of prairie grass as a renewable fuel source, which somewhat thwarts local researchers' efforts.