Kagen’s New Energy Plan Aims to Boost Local Biofuels Production

Wisconsin Ag Connection

Wisconsin’s only member of the House Agriculture Committee is co-sponsoring a bill that would correct flawed provisions in the Renewable Fuel Standard, which he claims limits the potential for clean, homegrown renewable biofuels.

Rep. Steve Kagen is joining a bipartisan group of 42 members of Congress to strike the definition of ‘renewable biomass’ in the 2007 Energy Bill and replace it with the Farm Bill’s definition, which they say is inclusive to ensure regional equity and allows for the responsible use of biomass from private and federal lands.

"To move our nation towards energy independence, we must make a significant investment in renewable sources of energy," the Appleton Democrat said. "I am working hard to make sure that investment will come home to Northeast Wisconsin."

Supporters of the effort say the current definition allows for a broader definition of biofuels, including biofuels developed from materials gathered from federal lands.

"A broader definition allows Northeast Wisconsin’s small business and entrepreneurs to participate in this shift to renewable energy using the resources that exist in Wisconsin, rather than the EISA definition, which favored certain types of biofuels and areas of the nation," Kagen said.