Press Release

ARCURI SUPPORTS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN CELLULOSIC ETHANOL PRODUCTION

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) announced today his strong support for the 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 2641) that includes increased funding, requested by Arcuri, to expand cellulosic ethanol and biofuels production.

“It is far past time for us as nation to stand up for national security, the environment, and economic development to make our alternative energy future a reality,” said Arcuri. “Oil is a finite resource that all too often comes from unstable and dangerous regimes. To change the course of our energy future, we must act decisively to diversify our transportation fuel system.”

 “With our region’s natural resources, top-notch scientific and technological community, and central proximity to major metropolitan centers, Upstate New York is perfectly poised to become a national leader in alternative energy production.  But without a commitment from the federal government to foster this research, we cannot move forward and achieve energy independence.”

The fiscal year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes, at the request of Arcuri, $251 million for the Biomass and Biorefinery Systems Research and Development program for the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol and biofuels, and $7 billion for the Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program to help facilitate the construction of facilities to produce fuel ethanol from cellulosic biomass.

“If we are to achieve wide-scale use of cellulosic ethanol, we have to provide additional opportunities to industry and agricultural producers to enable them to participate in this new biofuels industry,” said Arcuri. 

Last month, the State of New York and Morrisville State College invested $4 million in SUNY Research Foundation funding for construction of a “green” biofuel facility in Cortland County.

“Alternative energy production projects, like a biodesel fuel plant in Cortland County, benefit the environment and provide a boost to the local economy,” Arcuri said.  “Construction and the daily workings of a plant such as this will create jobs and strengthen economic development - at the same time making our air and water cleaner for the next generation and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  The funding level I support will allow for the construction of additional cellulosic ethanol and biofuels production facilities throughout Upstate New York and the entire nation.”

Since taking office, Arcuri has cosponsored two other pieces of legislation to foster research and development of alternative energy: the CLEAN Energy Act (H.R. 6) and the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act (H.R. 547), specifically designed to increase the research, production, and implementation of alternative energy. Both passed the House by bipartisan majorities.

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