[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E856-E857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     USA RENEWABLE FUEL ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce my introduction of 
the USA Renewable Fuels Act of 2006. I worked on this legislation with 
Congressman Gutknecht of Minnesota, who is also a strong supporter of 
biofuels.
  The USA Renewable Fuel Act of 2006 is aimed at assisting domestic 
producers of biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. This act would 
ensure that key provisions of the 2005 Energy Bill pertaining to 
renewable fuels production would apply to U.S. production only. My 
vision is to help make agriculture a partner in the energy future of 
this country by investing in U.S. producers and manufacturers of 
biofuels. This legislation helps ensure that vision.
  Last year, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that 
doubles the use of ethanol and biodiesel by the year 2012. Recently 
there has been a push to eliminate tariffs on the importation of 
biofuels from other countries--an action that could threaten the 
competitiveness of domestic producers.

[[Page E857]]

  This bill will ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard Congress 
passed last year will apply only to domestic production of biofuels. 
This bill will not discourage the importation of foreign biofuels, but 
will simply reserve a portion of the market for U.S. producers. My hope 
is to help promote the production and use of biofuels within the United 
States, and I believe this legislation will help achieve that goal.
  Biofuel production is perceived to play a key role in the 
revitalization of rural America, including Colorado's 3rd Congressional 
District. Right now many farmers are taking the initiative by investing 
in the production of biofuels. It is our role as their representatives 
to provide the necessary tools and help in any way we can to achieve 
these goals and help revitalize our rural communities. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation as it moves forward.

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