Maria Cantwell: “Specifically, this coalition believes that domestic biofuel, something that we just debated as part of this energy…”

“Specifically, this coalition believes that domestic biofuel, something that we just debated as part of this energy strategy, can be used to produce a very significant amount of our future energy, and they are calling it an extraordinary opportunity for American leadership for job creation and economic growth. I think this group of individuals, who are part of a coalition that is interested in our country's national security, are pointing out that this very chart, showing the ownership by foreign entities, is of great concern to our future. I think this letter does adequately call on us to do our job in making sure we are getting off of our foreign dependence. I believe this underlying legislation gives us the tools to do so. That is especially true if you think about the framework that is in the bill and the debate we just had on biofuels, the 8 billion gallon biofuels goal by 2012. What is great about the biofuels amendment that was adopted and revised from the committee markup is that it includes both ethanol and biodiesel, and specifically ethanol research and development of what are called cellulosic ethanols--biomass-based ethanol materials. We know we have Midwestern States that are already producing ethanol and giving us a source of supply.…”