Bill Would Lift Land Use Consideration From Energy Regs

There is a battle over regulations authorized by the 2007 Energy Bill and set by the Environmental Protection Agency. But, a bill introduced in the House seeks to correct the situation, including the elimination of the requirement that the Environmental Protection Agency consider indirect land use when calculating the greenhouse gas emissions associated with advanced biofuels.

The bill was introduced by House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Ranking Member Frank Lucas and a bipartisan group of 42 Members of Congress. Mr. Lucas points to what he calls - the most important provision in the bill - the expansion of the acreage eligible to produce biomass feedstock. He believes - this will ease pressure on the current corn production system and open the way for more rapid development of next generation ethanol.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis called for the passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard Improvement Act, H.R. 2409. In a written statement, Buis lamented the fact that last minute provisions were inserted into the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act that were never properly debated. Buis added, - Growth Energy strongly believes in the promise of ethanol and other renewable fuels to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.