[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RICE AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE

  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to highlight the prospect 
of using rice as an alternative energy source in the production of 
ethanol.
  We all understand the importance of securing affordable and reliable 
means of energy for future generations. On the heels of the 
comprehensive energy bill that this body passed in April, which 
encourages ethanol production, I submit that rice and rice farmers 
specifically could contribute to this endeavor.
  Rice producers like those in my southeast Texas district face great 
difficulties in finding markets for their goods. Just a few years ago, 
there were over 600,000 acres in Texas that was farmed for rice, about 
the size of Rhode Island. Now, less than 200,000 acres are rice 
farmlands.
  One untapped potential market is ethanol. While many folks think 
about ethanol developed from corn, not much attention has been directed 
to ethanol developed from rice. The process of cellulosic conversion 
can derive ethanol from various sources including rice. It is essential 
that the Department of Agriculture continue their work with the 
universities in Texas to fund research into this type of conversion to 
ethanol.
  I understand the problems facing rice farmers in Texas. It is 
critical to support scientific research that develops new markets for 
our farmers. Cellulosic conversion holds the promise of deriving 
ethanol from rice along with other biomass materials.
  Mr. Speaker, the President's budget was tough on farm programs and it 
is important that we support agricultural research that benefits 
American farmers and helps supply Americans with more energy.

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