Advanced biofuels commercialization continues
National Farmers Union press release:
WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson hailed the passage of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 that will enable the Department of Defense (DOD) to move away from foreign oil reliance and towards commercialization of advanced biofuels produced in the United States. Previous language in the bill blocked DOD’s effort to become more energy independent. The amendment was led by Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo.
“We are pleased with the passage of Sen. Udall’s amendment to the NDAA and effect it will have on ensuring the DOD can continue its work on advanced biofuels,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The earlier proposed prohibitions that were in place in the NDAA would have been harmful to farmers, ranchers, the advanced biofuels industry and our national security. The DOD spends more than $11 billion each year on fossil fuels. Each time the price of a barrel of oil increases by $10, it costs DOD another $1.4 billion.”
The DOD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding in collaboration with the private sector to commercialize advanced biofuels in order to reduce the military’s and the country’s dependence on foreign oil in 2011. DOD has asked Congress to fund $70 million of this initiative as seed money to build or retrofit refineries to produce advanced biofuels.
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