Following remarks by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding Obama Administration biofuel policy, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following statement:
"The Obama Administration has shown strong leadership on the issue of domestic biofuels, putting forward a vision that recognizes the importance of the existing industry and the potential of new technologies. Domestic ethanol production is one of the few bright spots in a gloomy economic forecast, providing tens of thousands of jobs in hundreds of rural communities all across the country. By expanding the scope of American ethanol production to include new feedstocks from grasses to wood waste to algae, the industry can extend the benefits seen in rural America to every corner of the country.
"From commercializing new technologies to expanding ethanol fueling infrastructure, America's ethanol producers stand ready to join President Obama and Secretary Vilsack in achieving the full potential of a domestic ethanol industry."
Specifically, the RFA will continue work with the Obama Administration numerous initiatives, including:
Extending current ethanol tax policies such as the Volumetric Ethanol
Excise Tax Credit
Investing in ethanol fueling infrastructure
Amending current Dept. of Energy loan guarantee programs to provide
advanced biofuel producers access to much needed capital
Thoughtful reform of current tax policy to meet the needs of a growing
and evolving industry
The deployment of more flexible fuel vehicles capable of using higher
level ethanol blends
The use of E15 for all vehicles regardless of age
Listen to comments from Secretary Vilsack, thanks to Agri-Talk here.
