King Works for 8 Billion Gallon Renewable Fuels Standard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2005

KING WORKS FOR 8 BILLION GALLON
RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD

House Agriculture Committee Holds Renewable Fuels Hearing

Washington, D.C.-As the Conference Committee convenes to work on the Energy Bill, Iowa Congressman Steve King today expressed his support for an eight billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard.

"I believe we need to take ownership of our own energy security and fully utilize the capabilities we have to produce reliable, renewable fuels," said King. "Iowa is one of the best areas in the country to see the rapid growth in the production of renewable fuels."

"Better yet, adding value to the commodities we have been producing for years will pump more dollars into our local economies. I'm urging my colleagues in the House to fight for an eight billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standard in the final Energy Bill," added King.

Earlier this year, King cosponsored legislation to increase America's renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. The Fuels Security Act of 2005 creates a Renewable Fuels Standard which will increase use to at least eight billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2012.

Domestic renewable fuels production has increased dramatically over recent years; Western Iowa lays claim to six operating ethanol plants, two ethanol plants under development, three operating bio-diesel plants and one under development. Currently the U.S. has over 100 ethanol and bio-diesel plants with the capacity to produce more than 3.7 billion gallons of renewable fuels for transportation fuels.

King serves on the House Agriculture Committee.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ia05_king/pr_050721.html