Cellulosic Ethanol Technology

CELLULOSIC ETHANOL TECHNOLOGY

* Mr. MAHONEY. Madam Speaker, tonight, I rise to honor two companies in Florida's District 16 who are on the leading edge of cellulosic ethanol technology and encouraging the use of crops other than corn to help meet the energy needs of our country--Citrus Energy, LLP and Alico, Inc.

* Recently, each of these companies was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture in recognition of their efforts to establish a meaningful renewable energy industry.

* With their state grant, Citrus Energy, based in Clewiston, Florida, plans to convert citrus peel, pulp, seeds and membrane into 4 million gallons of ethanol a year. I commend Citrus Energy President Dave Stewart for his commitment to finding alternative energy sources and for looking to by-products that are abundantly available to help meet our country's needs.

* Similarly, Alico, Inc. located in Labelle, Florida, plans to use its grant to build a 7.5 million-gallon-a-year plant to produce ethanol and electricity. Alico intends to use high-fiber sugar cane and agriculture wastes, such as hurricane debris to make ethanol. I also commend Alico President John Alexander for his commitment to helping this great country find alternative energy sources through agricultural by-products.

* It is exciting that both of these companies have recognized the potential resources that Florida can contribute to their efforts, and I am particularly pleased that they both have chosen to locate their new energy plants in District 16. Their endeavors will provide economic benefits to these communities and will provide substantial environmental and economic benefits for our entire country.

* With the price of corn at $4.00 per bushel, it is imperative that American companies recognize the importance of diversifying our ethanol portfolio and the potential that our American farmers can contribute to those efforts. These two Florida companies are just the beginning of what I hope will become a burgeoning industry throughout our great State of Florida and our country. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that adequate funding is provided for the research and production of bio-fuels and alternatives to corn ethanol.

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