Bills Introduced In Congress To Study Biofuels vs Electricity
In an effort to expand uses for biofuels, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) recently introduced the “Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act” and the “Biojet Fuel Research Act.”
These new proposals will explore ways the federal government could use biofuels to reduce transportation costs while lowering carbon emissions.
“We should not be so quick to jump to electric vehicles when E85 flex-fuel could provide an even cheaper and cleaner option. Further, the administration has repeatedly expressed interest in sustainable aviation fuel, and I will continue working to ensure biofuels are included in those discussions.”
The “Cost Act” directs the Comptroller General and the Secretary of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing federal government gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles or E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles.
The bill then requires the Secretary of Energy to report findings to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
The “Biojet Fuel Research Act” directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a working group focused on identifying research and development needs to produce biojet fuel.
The working group would consist of the Bioenergy Technologies Office of the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, biorefinery stakeholders, agriculture research universities, and others.
The proposal comes after Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told Feenstra in a May committee hearing that she believes biofuels and biofuel technologies have a bright future in sustainable aviation fueling.
The bill also requires the working group to submit its findings to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
NewsClip:
— NPR: Biodiesel Is Booming, It May Help The Climate, But There’s A Big Environmental Risk
