Ross Hosts Arkansas Biofuels Conference in Monticello

Press Release

U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) Thursday teamed up with the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) to host a conference focused on the development of biofuels in Arkansas. The conference brought together nationally renowned biofuel experts in the field, along with state and community leaders to discuss strategies to develop biofuels in Arkansas.

"Across the country and here in Arkansas, Americans are now experiencing the effects of our nation's current energy crisis," Ross said. "Arkansas is well poised to become a national leader in the biofuels industry, and I am hopeful that this conference will help to spur these industries and create economic development opportunities in our state. A key component of any comprehensive energy plan should be a major investment in alternative and renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel that can be made right here in Arkansas."

Ross noted that at a time when the big five oil companies are reporting record profits, and as oil prices reach record highs, the need has never been more clear for America to have a new direction on its energy policy.

"I firmly believe that the state of Arkansas can be at the forefront in the production of these renewable fuels because of the abundance of raw materials found in our state," Ross said. "Establishing Arkansas as a leader in the production of renewable fuels will not only lessen our dependence on foreign oil, but it will also help to create new jobs in our communities, provide new markets for our farming families, protect our environment and ultimately reduce the price we pay at the pump. I believe that this could also provide an amazing opportunity to change the face of the forestry and farming industry and trigger an economic and agricultural revival right here in Arkansas."

Panelists for the conference included representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, FutureFuel Chemical Company, Range Fuels, the Price Companies, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Ross recently introduced comprehensive energy legislation, the American Made Energy Act of 2008, in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase our nation's energy security and put our nation on a path towards energy independence. Ross' legislation makes the largest investment in American made alternative and renewable energy in our nation's history.

"We must, as a nation, develop our own domestic solutions to meet our energy needs," Ross said. "My bill promotes the development of home-grown biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power through expanding research and development, extending tax credits, and providing grants and loan guarantees to produce these new technologies on a large scale."

Last year, Ross helped draft and pass landmark energy legislation which helped to combat global warming. The Energy Independence and Security Act, which was signed into law in December makes the largest investment in biofuels in history and supports vital research and development of new technologies to bring down energy costs and help create new jobs.

Additionally, this month in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ross helped pass legislation that would cut taxpayer funded subsidies to oil companies who are making record profits and invest that revenue into renewable fuels. The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, H.R. 5351, would repeal $18 billion in tax subsidies for big, multinational oil and gas companies and would use those funds to support new technologies for alternative and renewable fuels that will make our nation less dependent on oil.

Ross is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where he plays a key role to help remedy our nation's energy crisis.

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