Obama energy aide strongly backs biofuels

In Washington, Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, addressed the Renewable Fuels Association’s Washington Legislative Forum.

“One of those most promising [clean energy] industries has been American biofuels,” she said. “Right now, domestic biofuel production is at the highest level ever. In fact, monthly production has increased more than 40% in the last three years. That means that biofuels are already reducing our dependence on oil, cutting pollution, and creating jobs across the country.”

“A year ago, the President set a goal of breaking ground on at least four commercial scale cellulosic or advanced biorefineries by 2013. That goal has been accomplished, one year ahead of schedule. Together, these projects will produce nearly 100 million gallons of advanced biofuels per year.”

“Last week, we were encouraged when the biofuels community stood behind EPA’s implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard – which we think is critical tool to promote growth in renewable fuels production in the years ahead. At the same time, we’re taking steps to help level the playing field. Not only has the Administration supported repealing subsidies for oil and gas companies, the President announced yesterday that we’re taking new steps to crack down on manipulation in the oil markets to help protect consumers at the pump.”

“Now, as we produce more biofuels, it’s also important that we focus on deployment. If you think back to when America was moving from horseback to rail and then cars and trucks, we didn’t say you’re on your own. We laid tracks and paved roads and built bridges to accelerate the transition. We need to make a similar effort on biofuels.”