Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

Issue Position: Energy

NORM COLEMAN'S DRIVE FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: FOUNDER AND CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE BIOFUELS CAUCUS

I believe our nation's addiction to foreign oil represents a threat to our national security, our economy, and our freedom. By 2025 it is estimated that nearly 75 percent of America's oil supply will be imported, much of it from volatile regions of the world dominated by tyrants. That's why I have called for an ambitious national energy independence campaign on the scale that put Americans on the moon after President Kennedy's call to action in the early 1960's. I am committed to bringing Minnesota's energy solutions to the entire nation, while expanding opportunities for our farmers and innovators to lead the nation in ethanol, biodiesel, energy efficiency innovation, and wind energy. Producing clean, reliable energy at home will also secure our environmental future - addressing the growing threat of climate change.

I've been working on energy security since taking office in 2003, long before the days of $3/gallon gas (see accomplishments list below). In fact, the Senate 2007 Energy Bill includes several key provisions of my bipartisan DRIVE Act. Additionally, I have introduced legislation with Senator Blanche Lincoln to extend the Biodiesel Tax Credit—set to expire in 2009—for ten more years to ensure farmers, producers, and consumers have certainty and incentives to continue relying on biodiesel. And as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am working to ensure the 2007 Farm Bill energy package includes research and production incentives for a variety of ethanol feed stocks, including sugar and cellulosic biomass.

I am also proud of the ground-breaking renewable energy provisions that I championed as co-chairman of the Senate Biofuels Caucus in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, including the first U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard, biodiesel tax credit, small ethanol producer tax credit, and wind energy bonds. Already this bill has resulted in more than 27 new ethanol plants, more than 400 new E-85 pumps, more than 4,200 additional megawatts of wind power, and billions of dollars in economic activity.

In the 2004 JOBS Act, I also worked to pass several green provisions, including a volumetric ethanol excise tax credit and the extension of the tax credits for wind, biomass, solar, geothermal, landfill gas and waste to energy facilities.

These Congressional initiatives have empowered Minnesota's entrepreneurs who are driving this energy revolution. Minnesota farm families are not only working to feed the world, but also to fuel a nation. Minnesota ranks first in per capita biofuels consumption and first in total number of E-85 pumps. As of April 2007, Minnesota's 16 ethanol facilities have a production capacity of approximately 620 million gallons per year. There are five facilities under construction that will add an additional 450 million gallons capacity. That will boost Minnesota's annual ethanol production capacity above one billion gallons in 2008. In addition, there are 10 facilities in various planning stages that could add another 750 million gallons capacity in the near future. The ethanol industry has created over 10,000 jobs in this state with an economic impact of over $2.7 billion in 2006.

Yet there's more work to be done. As we learned since the 1970's, gas prices are volatile, which is why we cannot waver in our commitment to taking our energy future back into our own hands. As we move away from conventional energy sources, we must increase our efforts to develop new, innovative technologies, such as the hydraulic vehicles being produced in Eagan, MN, promote energy efficiency, and boost renewable fuel production, especially locally owned production.

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