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Energy

As a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Akaka is a leader in renewable and alternative energy sources. His energy initiatives focus on using cleaner and more efficient sources of fuel for the future to alleviate America's and Hawaii's dependence on foreign oil. He is an advocate for dealing with the consequences of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide accumulation, and has consistently supported the exploration and identification of methane hydrates, a natural gas, as alternative source of fuel.

Senator Akaka introduced the Hydrogen Future Act, and he is committed to pursuing hydrogen legislation to reauthorize programs that will help the nation move away from dependence on foreign oil. Senator Akaka is a founding member of the Senate Hydrogen Caucus, formed in 2004, dedicated to increasing the visibility and knowledge of the hydrogen economy.

Senator Akaka believes that renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel will be beneficial in reducing noxious emissions and demand for petroleum-based fuels. Senator Akaka has worked to ensure that Hawaii can take advantage of ethanol as an alternative fuel. He is committed to ensuring that the biofuels industry receive tax credits and fiscal incentives necessary to mobilize capital and worked to ensure that tax credits were renewed and extended in 2004.

Senator Akaka's participation as a conferee on the Energy Policy Act of 2005 resulted in authorizations for a $36 million demonstration project for ethanol from sugar cane and a loan guarantee program for sugar cane-to-ethanol providing $50 million per project.

 
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