Delegates to the Republican National Convention this week have adopted a party platform that would essentially end the Renewable Fuels Standard passed by Congress and signed by the president in December as part of comprehensive energy legislation. However, they do support the development of cellulosic ethanol and increased flex-fuel vehicles on the road.
Under the agriculture section, the platform talks about food versus fuel concerns and states that the “U.S. government should end mandates for ethanol and let the free market work.”
Under the energy section, the platform states that we “must continue to develop alternative fuels,
such as biofuels, especially cellulosic ethanol, and hasten their technological advances to next-generation production” and says that “because alternative fuels are useless if vehicles cannot use them, we must move quickly to flexible fuel vehicles.”
The Renewable Fuels Association expressed concern about the Republican platform. RFA President Bob Dinneen called it “inconceivable that the Republican Party would adopt a platform that limits the energy options available to the American people.”
“Fortunately, many leaders in the Republican Party, including the President of the United States, understand the importance of a strong renewable fuels policy,” said Dinneen. “Regardless of the outcome of this year’s elections, the American ethanol industry stands ready to continue working with Congress to provide a clean, safe and secure alternative to foreign oil and gasoline.”
RFA will be among many organizations and companies participating in an AgNite event in conjunction with the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis Tuesday evening, sponsored by the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. The event is designed to celebrate America’s food, agriculture and energy industries and educate delegates and other attendees about their importance to the nation. Stay tuned for reports from the event here on Domestic Fuel.
According to the 
The 
The corn growers are also trying to get the word out that they are capable of meeting the nation’s needs for food, feed and fuel by bumper sticker. While supplies last, they are offering free bright yellow bumper stickers that proclaim “US Farmers – Producing Food, Feed and Fuel” to anyone who wants to help them get that message out on the road. For a sticker, email NCGA at corninfo@ncga.com.
The opening of the 5-million-gallon-a-year Sequential Pacific Biodiesel refinery in Salem, Oregon today is attracting celebrities and kicking in a new biodiesel mandate.
Riders of the new biodiesel bus at the University of Montana in Missoula won’t get just a clean ride on an eco-friendly piece of mass transit… they’ll get all that for free.
Destiny, Florida, the first eco-sustainable city in the country, is creating Florida’s first sustainable energy farm. 