In an op-ed piece promoting use of ethanol as an alternative to gasoline, U.S. Senator Carl Levin mentions Wayne State among universities that are researching methods for making ethanol from cellulose. Also working on the challenge are Michigan Technological University , Michigan State University and NextEnergy. Levin writes that by establishing itself as a leader in ethanol research and development, the state of Michigan has a "golden opportunity" to play a role in reducing atmospheric emissions as well as revitalizing its manufacturing industry.