12/19/07 Wheat Growers say energy bill will spur cellulosic ethanol

Farm and Ranch December 19, 2007 The National Association of Wheat Growers says the energy bill passed by the U.S. House Tuesday will help spur the development of commercialized cellulosic ethanol, which would provide significant value-added opportunities for American agricultural producers. Both chambers of Congress have now passed and President George W. Bush is expected to sign the Energy Independence and Security Act, which includes an increased renewable fuels standard, or RFS, of 36 billion gallons by 2022. Of the 36 billion gallons, 21 billion gallons are slated to be advanced biofuels including 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol. National Association of Wheat Growers president John Thaemert says a strong energy bill with an increased renewable fuels standard provides the certainty the industry needs to get off the ground and applauds Congress for taking this bold step. In a recent interview I asked Thaemert when are we going to see cellulosic ethanol production. Thaemert: "Well on a commercial scale it is going to be a few years but there is current production right now from several companies. But I think it is something we are definitely going to see and I bet we see commercial scale within five years." NAWG represents the interests of both wheat and biomass growers on Capitol Hill and has been a strong advocate for the increased renewable fuels standard. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.