Walsh Blasts Department of Energy for Ignoring Northeast

Statement

WALSH BLASTS DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR IGNORING NORTHEAST

Congressman Jim Walsh issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) first round selection of four small-scale biorefinery projects:

"It's encouraging to see our nation move towards domestic renewable energy projects that will eventually reduce our dependence on oil, but it is disheartening to see the continued failure by the DOE to regionalize these efforts. Once again, the DOE has neglected the Northeast entirely and that should be of grave concern.

"I had a personal conversation with the Secretary and I have to question their judgment. The Northeast is home to the highest demand for liquid transportation fuels. The closest biorefinery chosen by the DOE is in Missouri. These fuels are difficult to transport and need to be produced in proximity to where they will be consumed. To sidestep the Northeast, where demand is greatest, makes zero sense. I think the decision demonstrates how out of step the agency is by neglecting the most densely populated region in the nation.

"The Biorefinery in New York, located in Lyonsdale, is an ideal candidate for DOE funding. I have and will continue to strongly support the project, as it has demonstrated time and time again the potential to be the first operational wood-based biorefinery in the Northeast able to produce renewable hemi-cellulosic liquid transportation fuels, chemicals and bio-degradable plastics. I think that it's a mistake to be heavily dependent on food-based fuels, such as corn, because it's not as efficient, it's much more energy intensive to derive, and it drives up the price of food.

"Current funding for the Biorefinery in New York project has come from the private sector and grants issued by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency. The absence of federal funding is unfortunate and I hope that the DOE resolves the issue as it anticipates choosing a second round of small-scale projects later this spring."

Source