Tom Harkin: “I strongly support the Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) contained in the Senate energy bill, S. 517. This historic…”

“I strongly support the Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS) contained in the Senate energy bill, S. 517. This historic agreement will be a milestone in the efforts to develop renewable fuels. This agreement will dramatically increase the Nation's production of domestic, renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, from U.S. agricultural commodities and residues over the next decade. The renewable fuels standard will create a steady market for American agriculture, and provide significant economic benefits throughout rural America. Importantly, it will also increase U.S. fuel supplies, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and protect the environment. Some have questioned whether the renewable fuels standard as contained in the bill is too aggressive, and whether there is enough ethanol to meet the requirement. I am here to tell you there is more than enough ethanol production capacity today to meet the needs of the program when it goes into effect in 2004! In fact, the U.S. ethanol industry has undergone significant growth in recent years in anticipation of the phase out of MTBE, particularly in California.”