The President's budget zeroes out funding for the Biomass and Biorefinery Systems Program's Utilization of Platform Outputs R&D sub program. And it only provided $13 million for the Vehicle Technologies program's Fuels Technology subprogram. The Renewable Fuels Association says Congress must ensure fuels research programs are fully funded to provide the necessary scientific basis for increasing ethanol blending. The RFA is calling for the full $24 million funding for the Vehicle Technologies program's Fuels Technology subprogram and for an additional $5 million for the Biomass and Biorefinery Systems R&D subprograms.
Writing to the Chairs and Ranking Members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, RFA President Bob Dinneen wrote, "Continued testing of mid-level ethanol blends and E-85 is absolutely critical if ethanol is to overcome the blend wall that is today limiting market opportunities, and if the statutory obligations for renewable fuel use established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 are to be met."
Dineen said Congress should allow America's ethanol industry to reach its full potential to displace petroleum use in motor vehicles.
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