[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT ETHANOL

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Members of Congress are working 
to remedy the current economic imbalance, immense unemployment, job 
creation and both domestic and international energy based issues. As we 
look to the future; we must confront the many dimensions of these 
complex challenges to create solutions that will have a lasting 
positive benefit for America. I believe investing in renewable energy 
sources, including ethanol, is an efficient and effective economic 
stimulus. Ethanol serves as an aid to meet energy policy goals by 
promoting domestic production of renewable energy, reducing green house 
gas emissions and providing financial support for the agriculture 
sector.
  Nationwide, ethanol has increased tax revenues for both State and 
local governments by over $5 billion. Ethanol production and use today 
reduces green house gas emissions compared to gasoline by 59 percent. 
According to the Congressional Budget Office report as of this July, 
Argonne National Lab concluded corn based ethanol produced 20 percent 
less green house gas emissions in its life cycle compared to gasoline 
and petroleum diesel. Ethanol production contributed $53.3 billion to 
the Nation's gross domestic product and created over 200,000 jobs in 
all sectors of the economy. The state of Illinois produces over 1.5 
billion gallons of ethanol annually and is ranked third in ethanol 
production with 14 facilities. Just as ethanol has been a valuable tool 
for the state of Illinois, I strongly believe support for this 
renewable energy source can be a great benefit to the Nation.
  Our current energy economy is not sustainable. It is imperative we 
restructure our energy infrastructure in a sustainable manner while 
simultaneously reducing our green house gas emissions. Investing in 
ethanol and other renewable energy sources are an important piece of 
our Nation's economic and energy future.

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