CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR INTRODUCES RENEWABLE ENERGY LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Salazar (CO-03) today introduced the USA Renewable Fuel Act of 2006, a bill aimed at assisting domestic producers of biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. The bill would ensure that key provisions of the 2005 Energy Bill pertaining to renewable fuels production would apply to U.S. production only.

“Agriculture is and always has been the backbone of our national economy,” Salazar said.  “My vision is to help make agriculture a partner in the energy future of this country by investing in U.S. producers and manufacturers of biofuels.”

Last year, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that will double the use of ethanol and biodiesel by the year 2012.  The Bush Administration has recently indicated that it will eliminate tariffs on the importation of biofuels from other countries – an action that could threaten the competitiveness of domestic producers.

“My bill will ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard we passed last year will apply only to domestic suppliers,” Salazar explained.  “This bill will not discourage the importation of foreign biofuels, but will simply reserve a portion of the market for U.S. producers.”

The Renewable Fuel Standard requires that 7.5 billion gallons of biofuel be used in the domestic fuel supply by the year 2012.  Under Salazar’s bill, this requirement would apply only to companies and producers who grow the fuel source and manufacture the fuel within the United States.  Biofuel production is perceived to be one piece of the answer to revitalize rural America including Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

Salazar introduced the bill on May 16th.  Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) is working with Salazar as the bill’s lead Republican sponsor.