May 28, 1999

Various farm organizations and the Clinton Administration are behind a congressional effort to increase research in renewable fuels production, including ethanol. Research into converting biomass to fuels and chemicals could involve virtually any plant or plant product, such as corn for ethanol.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Energy Secretary Dan Reicher told the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday that the administration supported the bill. The research would develop efficient fuels, notably ethanol, and other chemicals from virtually any plant or plant product. Although ethanol is more environmentally sound and efficient than gasoline, it has been practical to produce ethanol from only a small portion of plant life, such as corn, committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN) points out.

"Development of cost-competitive technologies for converting biomass to fuels and chemicals will have revolutionary impacts across the spectrum of agriculture," said Lugar, "from preventing soil erosion, controlling flood plains, strengthening rural economics, and in production of the fundamental agricultural output - food for a hungry world. Additionally bio-fuels and bio-chemicals increase energy independent and security and reduce greenhouse gases."

Research to produce fuels and chemicals from plants and agricultural residues offers farmers "some much needed hope," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Dean Kleckner. However, he told the committee that research into other renewable fuels should not leave traditional corn-based ethanol at a disadvantage. Corn-based ethanol and biomass ethanol should coexist and expand together, said Kleckner.