[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ADVANCED FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 9, 2007

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 547, the 
Advanced Fuels Infrastructure and Development Act of 2007.
  This is indeed timely and critically needed legislation to improve 
the use of alternative fuels such as E85 ethanol or biodiesel. We've 
made great strides in developing alternative fuels, but one critical 
problem always remains. Simply put: we can produce all the ethanol we 
want, but if the local gas station can't put it in their storage tank, 
then you will never be able to put it in your car.
  During the last Congress, I had the honor of serving with 
Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth as a co-chair or the Democratic Rural 
Working Group. Working with leaders like Agriculture Committee Chairman 
Collin Peterson and Speaker Pelosi, we identified biofuels as a win-win 
for America's energy needs. Some states have already begun their own 
initiatives to make their infrastructure compatible to alternative 
fuels such as E85, but we need a nationwide effort in order to make 
these fuels viable as a real alternative.
  Anyone who has filled up a gas tank in the past year knows that gas 
prices are highly volatile and too high for the average American. As a 
former North Carolina small businessman, and a part time farmer, I 
believe that it is our duty to find alternatives to what has become a 
dangerous reliance on foreign oil.
  Our Nation has the capability to gain its energy independence. We 
posses the technology and the ability to turn the crops growing in our 
fields into the fuels we need to power our economy.
  H.R. 547 will help accomplish this by developing the infrastructure 
we need to make fuels like E85 and biodiesel viable alternatives. This 
legislation will direct the Environmental Protection Agency to perform 
research and development into the infrastructure improvements needed to 
facilitate the proper use and transportation for fuels such as E85 
ethanol and biodiesel. H.R. 547 will provide for research into existing 
issues that such as alternative fuel and equipment computability with 
existing fuel dispersment facilities and automotive technologies.
  Mr. Chairman, making these fuels available to the American consumer 
is the first step towards making them a real alternative to foreign 
oil. I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 547.

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