Defense Department bill would increase biofuel contract period to 15 years

In Washington, the Department of Defense would be permitted to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years under the Domestic Fuel for Enhancing National Security Act of 2011.

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington sponsored the measure as Senate Bill (S-1079), mirroring the introduction of the bill as HR 1847 by Washington congressmen Jay Inslee (co-sponsored by California congressman Brian Bilbray and NorthCarolina representative Walter Jones).

“To achieve true energy independence, the United States need to dramatically increase advanced biofuel production. But that requires capital investment in deploying new technologies. Expanding the Defense Department’s ability to engage in long-term contracts would provide advanced biofuel companies needed market stability as they commit capital to building new biorefineries,” commented Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section.