US Energy Secretary Expresses Support for Biofuels at DC Auto Show

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January 21, 2016

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by Robert E. Kozak and Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) This year, for a change, in the introduction to his remarks at the Washington, DC Auto Show, US Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz pointed out the importance of alternative fuels to achieving the climate change goals of the Paris COP21 Agreement; noting that electric vehicles alone will not suffice.

During a conversation after his speech, Moniz recognized the major research on biofuels at DOE research centers at Oak Ridge, Berkeley and Great Lakes (Michgan State and University of Wisconsin). In particular, he mentioned researchers identifying E30 as a "sweet spot" for higher ethanol concentrations.

He noted two additional areas of research focus:

Driving down cellulosic ethanol costs and;
"A very important area," DOE's collaboration with the military developing drop-in fuels, particularly with the Navy.

In that regard, on Wednesday in San Diego, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack launched the Great Green Fleet, partially powered with drop-in biofuels.