Alternative Fuels Program Launched by EPA
EPA on Tuesday announced the nation's first comprehensive Renewable Fuel Standard program, a development hailed by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. EPA's administrator joined Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason to launch the program, which will increase the use of alternative fuels and modernize CAFE standards for cars.
"The Renewable Fuel Standard offers the American people a hat trick: It protects the environment, strengthens our energy security, and supports America's farmers," said EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. "Today, we’re taking an important first step toward meeting President Bush's '20 in 10' goal of jumping off the treadmill of foreign oil dependency."
"While we must look at increasing the availability of renewable and alternative fuels, we must also continue to improve the fuel efficiency of our passenger cars and light trucks," said Nason. "We need Congress to give the secretary of Transportation the authority to reform the current passenger car fuel economy standard." Authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the program requires the equivalent of at least 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into motor vehicle fuel sold domestically by 2012. For information, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/.