Support renewable fuels industry

I encourage support for Congress to protect the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Most important to me is that renewable fuels help to reduce our dependence on oil. Additionally, the ethanol that is added to your gas is a cleaner additive, reducing harmful emissions.

We have a POET plant near Gowrie, they employ workers, buy product from our local farmers and produce by-products beside ethanol. Throughout the country, the biofuel industry adds $40 billion to the gross domestic product and 400,000 jobs to the country's economy. The RFS is our government's encouragement of research and development in the renewable fuels industry. For every 1 BTU used to produce the biofuel, 2.3 BTUs is produced. And, as they continue to research and develop within the industry, I expect that number to grow.

I am interested in the development of biofuels from cellulosic materials, which had been considered waste. These developments won't be happening if we aren't prepared to support the industry. Oil is a finite product. When it's gone it's gone. The biofuels industry we have is that alternative. Let's encourage its continued development.

David Stokesbary

Mayor

Gowrie