Ethanol Industry Welcomes Continued Support of Bush Administration
Energy Secretary Bodman Reiterates Administration’s Commitment to Ethanol
April 7, 2006
ethanolrfa.org
Washington, DC – The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today welcomed the continued, full-throated support of the Bush Administration, and in particular Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. In remarks yesterday, Secretary Bodman underscored the important role ethanol can play in breaking America’s oil addiction and specifically called on automakers to produce more flex fuel vehicles (FFV), capable of using ethanol blends up to 85 percent (E85).
"It should be our common goal that E85 become a nationwide fueling option," Bodman said. "In the coming days, I will be asking that we do more to make consumers aware of the flex-fuel option both when they are considering a new car purchase and for existing owners of flex-fuel vehicles."
Secretary Bodman’s remarks are part of a continued emphasis the Bush Administration has put on growing America’s renewable fuels industry. President Bush singled out ethanol in his State of the Union Address as an integral part in ensuring America’s energy security. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Steve Johnson have both toured the country promoting renewable fuels, including remarks at the 11th Annual National Ethanol Conference in February.
“The commitment the Bush Administration has shown towards America’s renewable fuels industry has been vital to ensuring the continued increased use and production of clean-burning, oil-import reducing renewable fuels like ethanol,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “Coupled with the bipartisan support of Members of Congress, President Bush has changed the debate about renewable fuels from ‘Are renewable fuels worth it?’ to ‘How much can we produce and how soon can we do it?’ That shift is not only good for the ethanol industry and our nation’s farmers, but it means cleaner air, better economic conditions, and greater energy security for all Americans.”
Currently, 97 ethanol biorefineries nationwide have the capacity to produce nearly 4.5 billion gallons annually. There are 33 ethanol biorefineries and nine expansions under construction with a combined annual capacity of more than 2 billion gallons.
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