Congress Should Support Ethanol Production

Floor Speech

* Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Members of Congress are working to remedy the current economic imbalance, immense unemployment, job creation and both domestic and international energy-based issues. As we look to the future; we must confront the many dimensions of these complex needs responsibly, to create solutions that will have a lasting positive benefit for America. I believe investing in renewable energy sources, including ethanol is an efficient and effective stimulus. Ethanol serves as an aid to meet energy policy goals by promoting domestic production of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing financial support for the agriculture sector.

* Nationwide, ethanol has increased tax revenues for both State and local governments by over $5 billion. Ethanol production and use today reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline by 59 percent. According to the Congressional Budget Office report as of this July, the Argonne National Lab concluded corn-based ethanol produced 20 percent less greenhouse gas emissions in its life cycle compared to gasoline and petroleum diesel. Ethanol production contributed $53.3 billion to the nation's Gross Domestic Product and created over 200,000 jobs in all sectors of the economy. The State of Illinois produces over 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol annually and is ranked third in ethanol production with 14 facilities. Just as ethanol has been a valuable tool for the State of Illinois, I strongly believe support for this renewable energy source can be a great benefit for the Nation.

* Our current state of our economy is not sustainable. It is imperative we structure our energy infrastructure in a sustainable manner while simultaneously reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in ethanol and other renewable energy sources are an important piece of our Nation's economic and energy future.

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