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In his State of the union address President Bush included his new initiatives for reducing energy dependence on foreign oil. Now the row around the country is whether his plans can work. Democrats and environmentalists seem to think it will not.
The President’s energy proposal would increase the scope of the current Renewable Fuel Standard, expanding it to an Alternative Fuel Standard. Bush wants Congress to set a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels – from fuels like corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, methanol, butanol, and hydrogen – by 2017. That’s nearly five times the current target.
He also called for reforming fuel economy standards for cars which could save 8.5 billion gallons of gasoline in 2017, according to The White House.
Under current law, fuel blenders must use 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuels in 2012.
The Renewable Fuels Association seems to think it will:
RFA President Bob Dinneen: “Recognizing the potential of our nation’s ethanol industry, President Bush used the unique forum of the State of the Union Address to elevate the significance of [tag]ethanol[/tag] and renewable fuels to our nation’s energy future by calling for 35 billion gallons of alternative fuel use by 2017. With consistent and focused policies, this is an eminently achievable goal. It will stimulate new investment in cellulosic ethanol technologies and drive market opportunities for ethanol beyond existing blend levels. It is a goal that makes sense for America.
Here is how the Daily Grist summed it up:
“Bush State of the Union address offers tepid energy initiatives”
