Arkansas is hoping to become a leader in cellulosic ethanol production.

According to a story in the Advance Monticellonian, Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR) recently assembled a panel of biofuels experts at the University of Arkansas at Monticello to discuss how Southeast Arkansas can play a part in it in the future of cellulosic ethanol.

Ross said, and Southeast Arkansas is “wellpoised to become a national leader” in the field of cellulosic ethanol.

Toward that end, Ross said, he has introduced the American Made Energy Act of 2008. The bill, which has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Readiness, “promotes the development of homegrown biofuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power through expanding research and development, extending tax credits, and providing grants and loan guarantees to produce these new technologies on a large scale,” Ross said. The legislation, he noted, would invest $3.8 billion in alternative and renewable energy, an amount which he said that the U.S. would spend in only ten days fighting the Iraq war.