No, it’s not what you think.

We’re talking about switchgrass, a sometime ingredient in so-called “second generation” biofuels (”first generation” biofuels had stuff like corn and palm oil in them, which require a lot of water and land to produce so it’s not real “green” if you catch my drift).

Anyway, Continental is getting into the biofuel testing game (Virgin was the first), to reduce that fabled (and utterly cliched) carbon footprint.

Keep reading, because I have more to say.

Virgin Atlantic is going to make a very special test flight next month: the tanks of one of their 747s will be filled with biofuel.

Supposedly, this is the first commercial airline to ever do this. According to the shy and retiring Richard Branson, this demonstration “will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.”

Fine. But I notice that this “test flight” will have no passengers on board. Hmmm.

[Liked this story? Then check out “The Virgin Empire”]

With apologies to Kermit, what the heck’s going on??

On the one hand, you have the International Air Transport Association (IATA) furiously fighting the European Union on their “Emission Trading Scheme” (scheme = Britspeak for plan) which would force airlines to cutback on their carbon dioxide emissions, or pay for it (this is where those “carbon offsets” come in-isn’t that like bribing your way out of greeness?). But wait, there’s more…