Mark Dayton: “I am pleased to offer today, along with my very distinguished colleague from our neighboring State of Iowa, Senator…”

“I am pleased to offer today, along with my very distinguished colleague from our neighboring State of Iowa, Senator Grassley, an amendment that will significantly increase the use of ethanol and soy diesel fuels across our country. Our amendment requires all Federal Government vehicles to use 10-percent ethanol-blended gasoline where it is available or whatever lesser percent of ethanol blend is available in that particular locale. Our amendment also requires Federal vehicles which run on diesel fuel to use at least a 2-percent biodiesel blend or higher by the year 2007, and a 20-percent biodiesel blend by the year 2012. If we want to improve our Nation's energy security, provide cleaner air, boost farm income, and strengthen many rural communities across this country, increasing the use of ethanol and soy diesel is a golden opportunity. Both of these fuels have come into their own as better alternatives to blend with regular gasoline and diesel fuel than the oil-based additives which currently predominate across the country.”