30 governors proclaim 'steadfast support' for RFS, biodiesel
Thirty governors in the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition have issued a letter to all members of Congress urging them to stay the course on the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). The Iowa Biodiesel Board praised the move as a bold statement of refusal to back down to the unrelenting false accusations leveled by opponents of biofuels.
“As governors who see firsthand the impact that the RFS has had on our states, we urge you to reject any modifications to the RFS,” the letter said. “By intentionally using misinformation, biofuels opponents damage the nation’s economy, environment and energy security.”
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is chairman of the coalition. The IBB thanked Branstad and the rest of the coalition for the effort.
“This vigorous show of support for the RFS gives those fighting for biodiesel a much-needed shot in the arm,” said Randy Olson, IBB executive director. “It shows that our elected leaders see through the ploys of opponents who want to stay with the status quo of our destructive addiction to foreign oil. We hope all members of Congress heed the message.”
The letter outlined how biofuels can help achieve worthy public policy goals. It also noted that with the support of governors, Congress strengthened the RFS in 2007 by including advanced biofuels such as biodiesel.
“We’re proud of the fact that since the passage of the RFS, the United States has reversed the course of our dependence on imported oil,” Olson said. “While this trend is not due to biofuels alone, it underscores the value of a diversified energy portfolio. Biodiesel is helping our country achieve what many of us at one time could only dream of—domestic energy security in our lifetime.”
Click here to read the full letter.
3 Responses
Steve
2013-03-20
1I don't see anywhere that identifies which governors signed the letters. How can I find out?
gjdodger
2013-03-21
2I think they're saying that Branstad, Quinn and Dayton signed the letter on behalf of all of the members of the Coalition. That's interesting, since one of the members, Mike Beebe, sent Lisa Jackson a request last year to suspend the RFS.
Durval
2013-04-09
3Has Sen. Obama accomplished anynhitg in the senate?Here are just some of them with their bill numbers:Of the 15 bills Senator Obama sponsored or co-sponsored in 2005-7 that became law:Two addressed foreign policy:Promote relief, security and democracy in the Congo (2125)Develop democratic institutions in areas under Palestinian control (2370).Three addressed public health:Improve mine safety (2803)Increased breast cancer funding (597)Reduce preterm delivery and complications, reduce infant mortality (707).Two addressed openness and accountability in government:Strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (2488 )Full disclosure of all entities receiving federal funds (2590)Two addressed national securityExtend Terrorist Risk Insurance (467)Amend the Patriot Act (2167)One addressed the needs of the Armed ForcesWave passport fees to visit graves, attend memorials/funerals of veterans abroad (1184).Of the 570 bills Senator Obama introduced into the Senate during the 109th and 110th Congress (Senate Bill numbers are in parentheses), they can be summarized as follows:25 addressed Energy Efficiency and Climate ChangeSuspend royalty relief for oil and gas (115)Reduce dependence on oil; use of alternative energy sources (133)Increase fuel economy standards for cars (767, 768 )Auto industry incentives for fuel efficient vehicles (1151)Reduce green house gas emissions (1324)Establish at NSF a climate change education program (1389)Increase renewable content of gasoline (2202)Energy emergency relief for small businesses and farms (269)Strategic gasoline and fuel reserves (1794)Alternative diesel standards (3554)Coal to liquid fuel promotion (3623)Renewable diesel standards (1920)Reducing global warming pollution from vehicles (2555)Fuel security and consumer choice (1994, 2025)Alternative energy refueling system (2614)Climate change education (1389)Low income energy assistance (2405)Oil savings targets (339)Fuel economy reform (3694)Plug-in electric drive vehicles (1617)Nuclear release notice (2348 )Passenger rail investment (294)Energy relief for low income families (2405)21 addressed Health CareDrug re-importation (334)Health information technology (1262, 1418 )Discount drug prices (2347)Health care associated infections (2278 )Hospital quality report cards (692, 1824)Medical error disclosure and compensation (1784)Emergency medical care and response (1873)Stem cell research (5)Medical Malpractice insurance (1525)Health centers renewal (901, 3771)Children’s health insurance (401)Home health care (2061)Medicare independent living (2103)Microbicides for HIV/AIDS (823)Ovarian cancer biomarker research (2569)Gynological cancers (1172)Access to personalized medicine through use of human genome (976)Paralysis research and care (1183)20 addressed Public Health:Violence against women (1197)Biodefense and pandemic preparedness and response (1821, 1880)Viral influenza control (969)End homelessness (1518 )Reduce STDs/unintended pregnancy (1790)Smoking prevention and tobacco control (625)Minority health improvement and disparity elimination (4024)Nutrition and physical education in schools (2066)Health impact assessments (1067, 2506)Healthy communities (1068 )Combat methamphetamines (2071)Paid sick leave (910)Prohibit mercury sales (833, 1818 )Prohibit sale of lead products (1306, 2132)Lead exposure in children (1811, 2132)14 address Consumer Protection/LaborStop unfair labor practices (842)Fair minimum wage (2, 1062, 2725, 3829)Internet freedom (2917)Credit card safety (2411)Media ownership (2332)Protecting taxpayer privacy (2484)Working family child assistance (218 )Habeus Corpus Restoration (185)Bankruptcy protection for employees and retirees (2092)FAA fair labor management dispute resolution (2201)Working families flexibility (2419).13 addressed the Needs of Veterans and the Armed Forces:Improve Benefits (117)Suicide prevention (479)Needs of homeless veterans (1180)Homes for veterans (1084)GI Bill enhancement (43)Military job protectionDignity in care for wounded vets (713)Housing assistance for low income veterans (1084)Military children in public schools (2151)Military eye injury research and care (1999)Research physical/mental health needs from Iraq War (1271)Proper administration of discharge for personality disorder (1817, 1885)Security of personal data of veterans (3592)12 addressed Congressional Ethics and AccountabilityLobbying and ethics reform (230)Stop fraud (2280)Legislative transparency and accountability (525)Open government (2180, 2488 )Restoring fiscal discipline (10)Transparency and integrity in earmarks (2261)Accountability of conference committee deliberations and reports (2179)Federal funding accountability and transparency (2590)Accounta
Leave a Reply
Biodiesel Magazine encourages civil conversation and debate. However, comments containing personal attacks, profanity, business solicitations or other advertising will be deleted.
Comments are closed