Barbara Boxer: “I just wanted to say I hope amendment No. 1693 that has been offered by Senator Bingaman and myself will be…”

“I just wanted to say I hope amendment No. 1693 that has been offered by Senator Bingaman and myself will be overwhelmingly supported by both sides. We know what happens when we ignore unintended consequences. I think this amendment makes sure we don't experience another MTBE; that, in fact, we are careful, regardless of what the fuels turn out to be, because we are not picking winners and losers. We are saying: Let technology go. As a matter of fact, in this program we have to assist in the development and production of biofuels, cellulosic. So what we don't know is when these fuels come, what are they going to do to the environment? We all want to be free of foreign oil. Every one of us. But we don't want to make mistakes. So I hope this amendment No. 1693 will be strongly supported. It ensures that the EPA stays involved. It doesn't give away all the powers of EPA to the Department of Energy. We just need to make sure what we are doing in the future is sound. I think Senator Inhofe has made a very important point about corn. There are wonderful things about corn, but there are some negatives.”