Byron Dorgan: “I happen to support renewable fuels and ethanol, and have for a long while. I make no apology for that, nor would…”

“I happen to support renewable fuels and ethanol, and have for a long while. I make no apology for that, nor would Senator Daschle, because I think it advances this country's energy interests. The reason it has to be offered now, according to Senator Daschle-- and we all understand this--is we had an energy bill that failed here by two votes. I would have preferred we pass an entire energy bill in this Senate. I voted for it and I signed the conference report. I worked with the chairman of the Energy Committee. I would have preferred that to pass because it had titles in four areas I supported. I didn't agree with a colleague who said a few minutes ago he thought there were things that were unworthy and rendered it something we should not have passed. There were things in the Energy bill that were unworthy and I didn't support, but on balance I believed it would advance this country's interests. It failed by two votes in the Senate. That bill contained production incentives, conservation efficiency, and renewable fuels. The issue of renewable fuels is not new. We have worked on this for a long time. If we cannot get the Energy bill, then we ought to get the renewable fuels piece at least. That has such wide, strong support here in the Senate.”