Energy & Commerce Committee Passes Wilson Amendment
Washington, DC – An amendment authored by Congresswoman Heather Wilson to strengthen research and development in renewable fuels was passed today in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which she serves.
The amendment authorizes $75 million for research and development in renewable fuels in various states, such as New Mexico. It is a companion effort to a measure in a Senate bill.
The Wilson amendment establishes a competitive grant program for research, development, and implementation of renewable fuels infrastructure. The program is limited to States with low rates of ethanol production. The grants are for eligible entities such as states, universities, tribal agencies, or local government agencies to conduct research into, and develop and implement, renewable fuel production technologies, including cellulosic biomass ethanol.
“We are encouraging more use of renewable fuels, as part of a balanced energy policy that should include conservation and exploration,” Wilson said.
New Mexico has three E-85 fueling stations, and Albuquerque has one on Mountain Street. Because most ethanol in the United States is made from corn, most E85 stations are found in the Midwest. With the incremental costs of buying a flex fuel vehicle only $100-200, the real barrier to actually using E85 in flex fuel vehicles is the lack of E85 fueling stations.
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