U.S.
Senator Member: Agriculture, Energy, Veterans' Affairs, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release June 20, 2006 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Comm. Director 303-455-7600 Andrew Nannis – Press Secretary 202-224-5852 |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – From his seat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, United States Senator Ken Salazar yesterday lauded the increased use of renewable fuels nationwide but emphasized the need to set higher standards if the Nation is to achieve energy independence. In a committee hearing aimed at addressing the implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Senator Salazar expressed optimism at the quick adoption of such energy alternatives as biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and E85. One of the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the RFS is a requirement that motor fuels contain at least 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012. “By passing the RFS last year, we set a solid, attainable goal on our path to energy independence,” said Senator Salazar in his opening remarks. “In the few months that they have been in place, the RFS and the renewable fuels incentives we included in last year’s energy bill have helped spur a sizable expansion of renewable fuels production across the country.” Noting that Colorado already has three fully functioning ethanol plants, Senator Salazar nonetheless urged his fellow legislators to consider raising their energy expectations, saying, “If we are to succeed in growing our way to energy independence, we must make dramatic, even revolutionary, new commitments to renewable energy production. As I understand it, we will easily meet the 7.5 billion gallon target of the RFS by 2012. We should set the bar higher, so that renewable fuels can make a greater dent in our petroleum imports.” Senator Salazar, who recently introduced a congressional resolution aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy, also praised the work of Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado. “We should continue to press forward by supporting new research at the National Renewable Energy Lab, and we should increase renewable fuel production and access for consumers,” Senator Salazar remarked. “But this is only the start.” # # #
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