People News

Julia Roberts leads pack for biodiesel and ethanol reform

By Stone Martindale Jul 21, 2006, 15:07 GMT

Actress Julia Roberts is more than just a pretty woman. Her heart is in the environment, and she wears it on her sleeve proudly. 05/04/2006 - Julia Roberts - © Janet Mayer / Photorazzi

05/04/2006 - Julia Roberts - © Janet Mayer / PhotorazziThe Dallas-based bio-diesel producer Earth Biofuels has announced Julia Roberts will serve as a spokeswoman and chair the company's new advisory board, aiding the organization's quest to promote its environmentally friendly alternative fuel. Actor Morgan Freeman and Willie Nelson also sit on the board of directors of Earth Biofuels.Joining Texans Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman, and tree climbing Daryl Hannah, Roberts is the latest celebrity to announce her support of the environment loving alternative to the current status quo of being held hostage by OPEC oil barons in hostile countries and big oil corporations. "It's very important that we expand our use of clean energy and make a long-term commitment to it," Roberts said in a released statement. "Biodiesel and ethanol are better for the environment and for the air we breathe." On the cover of Vanity Fair's first Green issue, Roberts recently played a wood nymph alongside George Clooney, Al Gore and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Vanity Fair profiled various stars' efforts to promote environmental awareness. Earth Biofuels said that Roberts will work with the company on a campaign to encourage the use of biodiesel in school buses nationwide. Roberts voices the ant character Hoya in the upcoming Ant Bully, which comes out July 28th. The animated film about a boy who terrorizes the ants in his yard, but learns a thing or two when he's shrunken down to their size and forced to perform hard labor.