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About Stephanie |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HERSETH SUPPORTS RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD Casts Vote for Legislation to Double Use of Ethanol; Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil; Create Ethanol Jobs in South Dakota June 15, 2004, Washington, DC - In her first vote on a major piece of legislation, Rep. Stephanie Herseth today voted for a renewable fuels standard (RFS) that mandates a doubling of ethanol use to 5 billion gallons by 2012 and significantly benefits South Dakota's ethanol industry. First introduced by Sen. Tom Daschle in the Senate, the RFS will immediately reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and create jobs in South Dakota. "Having grown up on the family farm near Houghton, I am proud to cast my first major vote in favor of ethanol," Herseth said. "The Daschle Renewable Fuels Standard will immediately create ethanol jobs in South Dakota and provide our producers with additional opportunities for revenue." It is estimated that the RFS provision will double the production of ethanol by 2012, generate over $600 million annually in economic activity in South Dakota, create over 10,000 new jobs in the state, and save the United States $4 billion in imported oil each year. The legislation also contains tax incentives for independent producers to expand their ethanol production capabilities. Herseth continued, "Making ethanol a priority in our national energy strategy is good for South Dakota and good for the United States. If the RFS is signed into law, we'll reduce our dependence on Middle East oil, put money into the pockets of American producers, and help keep our environment clean." The RFS was part of a comprehensive energy bill, H.R. 4503, that passed the House today 244 - 178. Herseth has long been an aggressive supporter of expanded ethanol production and has proposed a variety of measures designed to spur ethanol development, including the elimination of capital gains taxes on the sale of real estate if the profits from that sale are reinvested in a renewable energy project.
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