[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 157 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 157

 Supporting the research and development in the State of California of 
biodiesel and other biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 23, 2007

  Mr. Radanovich (for himself and Mr. Nunes) submitted the following 
 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science 
                             and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the research and development in the State of California of 
biodiesel and other biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts.

Whereas it is in the best interest of the United States to provide additional 
        support for research and development regarding alternative energy 
        resources, in particular biodiesel and other biofuels whose development 
        and use will contribute to energy diversification, encourage greater 
        energy independence for the United States, and help meet clean air 
        standards within the State of California;
Whereas further investment in the research and development of biodiesel and 
        other biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts provides 
        tremendous opportunities for farmers and ranchers in California, other 
        elements of the agricultural business sector, and rural communities to 
        play a role in helping the United States achieve both energy 
        diversification and independence, while providing an additional 
        sustainable revenue source for the agricultural community;
Whereas land-grant colleges and universities, Department of Agriculture research 
        stations, and the Cooperative Extension System are ready to contribute 
        their expertise toward the research and development of biodiesel and 
        biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts and the dissemination 
        of research results to farmers and ranchers and the rest of the 
        agricultural community;
Whereas there exist economic opportunities for rural communities from the 
        production of biodiesel and biofuels from agricultural products and 
        byproducts, and it is essential to assist those rural communities that 
        may be in a position to accommodate the development of alternative 
        energy;
Whereas the Central Valley of California, one of the most fertile and productive 
        agricultural regions in the United States, is located in the vicinity of 
        some of the premier research laboratories in the United States and would 
        be an ideal location for the research and development of biodiesel and 
        biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts;
Whereas those air districts within the State of California that have issues of 
        serious nonattainment in meeting State mandated air quality standards 
        would be well served by producing and consuming biofuels;
Whereas advanced biofuels technology, such as cellulose ethanol, has the 
        potential to reduce greenhouse gases by 90 percent compared to gasoline;
Whereas the aggressive efforts by the State of California to meet its own 
        Renewables Portfolio Standard may well be assisted were the Federal 
        Government to support such efforts;
Whereas California consumes more than 900,000,000 gallons of ethanol a year, 
        which represents approximately 25 percent of all ethanol produced in the 
        United States, and currently produces less than 5 percent of the ethanol 
        it consumes;
Whereas the State of California represents a significant opportunity for the 
        agriculture industry to play an intricate role in developing the 
        biofuels economy, while promoting sound environmental decisions for the 
        United States;
Whereas the Department of Energy, working in conjunction with the agriculture 
        industry and the Department of Agriculture, could provide ample 
        opportunity for the Federal Government to be a key factor in leading the 
        country into a renewable future;
Whereas the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58) commits the United 
        States to developing alternative and renewable energy for the purposes 
        of achieving energy independence for domestic safety and other purposes; 
        and
Whereas there is a continuing need to develop energy from all sources, renewable 
        and alternative, consistent with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to 
        assure a brighter future for the next generation of Americans: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress reiterates its commitment to developing alternative and 
renewable energy, in particular biodiesel and other biofuels, and 
expressly supports the research and development of biodiesel and 
biofuels from agricultural products and byproducts within the State of 
California.
                                 <all>