The National 25x’25 Steering Committee shares the sense of urgency expressed by the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition in calling on the Obama administration to articulate a vision for the nation’s biofuels future. The Steering Committee shares the governors’ conviction in the value of biofuels as a weapon in the fight for energy independence, an improved economy with new jobs, and a cleaner environment. Yet, as the GBC points out, misinformation critical of biofuels from entrenched interests is doing a great disservice to America.
“Our nation’s governors, with decades of combined leadership on tough economic development and environmental challenges, offer sage advice on the path forward for the next phase of biofuel development in America,” says Bart Ruth, chair of the 25x’25 Policy Committee.
The Steering Committee calls on the Obama administration to deliver a clear and defining message to the American people declaring its support of biofuels and its acknowledgement that biofuels remain a much needed alternative to foreign oil. The United States consumes 25 percent of the world’s total oil production, but controls only 3 percent of the world’s known oil reserves. The United States is forced to obtain oil from some of the most unstable regions of the world and suffers the costly consequences of that consumption. The nation’s dependence on nonrenewable energy sources threatens our security, economy and environment.
The Steering Committee believes that without a clear biofuels policy and active support of that policy from the Obama administration in research, market development policies and education, the future of biofuels — cellulosic, bio-oils, advanced biofuels — will remain threatened by a decline in investor support and an erosion of public confidence in their role in America’s clean energy future. “A failure by the administration to counter misinformation critical of biofuels will cost us a valuable market that could help turn around our economy and stem the damages incurred through our dependence on foreign oil,” says Ruth.
To view of copy of the letter delivered to the Obama administration and for more information on the 25x’25 initiative, please visit the website.
