Vilsack, Goodlatte Debate Biofuels Policy
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Federal support for biofuels came up for discussion at this week’s House Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the rural economy.
Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia questioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the USDA’s Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership. That program provides 100 million dollars in grant funds for installation of biofuels blender pumps.
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Vilsack defended those biofuels programs.
“Well, 450-thousand jobs that are directly or indirectly affected by this industry,” Vilsack said, “and the fact that gas is less expensive because of it.”
Goodlatte questioned that statement.
“Mr. Secretary, I would challenge whether gas is less expensive because of it. Gas is less expensive right now because of international production of gas.”
To which Vilsack responded…
“That’s part of it, Congressman. But you can’t deny the fact that study after study shows that this industry has, over time, reduce the price of gas to consumers.” READ MORE; includes AUDIO and MORE (News & Advance)