110 HCON 157 IH: Supporting the research and development in U.S. House of Representatives 2007-05-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

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

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.