Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Monday, December 19, 2005	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

BILL REQUIRES DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO STUDY ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Skelton Says Effort May Increase Demand For Biodiesel and Ethanol

Washington, DC – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that the final version of the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization bill includes a provision that may help promote the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol.

“I have long advocated the use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol, both as a way to add value to products produced by farmers and as a way to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. I am encouraged by the fact that the Pentagon has already taken some steps to adopt alternative fuels, but I wanted this language in the defense bill to make clear to the Defense Department that Congress supports research and development and the increased use of alternative fuels,” said Skelton.

The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study on the use of biodiesel and ethanol fuel by the Armed Forces and the Defense Agencies and any measures that can be taken to increase such use. The study will evaluate DoD’s historical utilization of biodiesel and ethanol, assess potential requirements for the increased use of these fuels, and identify research and development efforts needed to meet those requirements.

The study will also assess the current and future commercial availability of biodiesel and ethanol fuel and review the actions of DoD to coordinate with state, local, and private entities to support the expansion and use of alternative fuel refueling stations that are accessible to the public. The Secretary of Defense is required to submit a copy of its completed study to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

The conference report to H.R. 1815, the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization bill, was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 19, 2005, by a vote of 374 to 41. After the conference report is approved by the House and the Senate, the legislation will be forwarded to the President to be signed into law.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.