Bob Corker: “if we are serious about energy security and reducing our dependence on foreign oil and our consumption of gasoline, we…”

“if we are serious about energy security and reducing our dependence on foreign oil and our consumption of gasoline, we have to, through our energy legislation, encourage a variety of fuels and technologies. Current law requires 5.4 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2008, and 7.5 billion gallons in 2012. The underlying bill on the floor today increases the amount to 8.5 billion gallons in 2008 and 36 billion gallons by the year 2022. The underlying bill focuses on renewable fuels, including ethanol from corn and cellulosic ethanol, and I think that is outstanding. I am so proud the State of Tennessee is going to be playing a very large role in our country meeting those objectives. The amendment I am offering expands the renewable fuel standard by adding a clean fuel definition so any fuel meeting criteria may be a part of the 36 billion gallon mandate. It does not in any way strike or replace the underlying fuels that qualify.”