The Aquatic Species Program was an alternative energy research program launched in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter.  The United States Department of Energy funded the program over the course of nearly two decades.  Initially, the Aquatic Species Program looked into the production of energy using algae.  Later, the focus of the program was production of bio-diesel from algae.  Researchers collected over 3,000 species from all over North America in their search. When oil fell to about $20 per barrel, the research program was discontinued by the Clinton administration in 1996. The DOE research staff compiled their work and conclusions into a report that was published in July 1998.  The DOE report is at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/biodiesel_from_algae.pdf.