GoodFuels

More from Vilsack’s Press Conference

I have been on the road since early yesterday morning but have some audio from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s press conference yesterday.

Vilsack was asked directly about increasing the blend cap for ethanol. A reporter asked if sound science and data supports an expansion of the ethanol blending cap. While he did not directly answer the question, Vilsack said that USDA would support accelerating research on ethanol production and promoting second and third generation feedstocks.

You can listen to the Secretary’s answer to that question here:

To listen to or even download the full call-in visit AgWired at this link.

Here is a link to a transcript of the press conference also.

People Who Live in Glass Houses

I just keep saying why, why, why? Why has Congress not called for an investigation into food companies making obscene profits?

Case in point. Two of the same food companies that were calling for the head of the ethanol industry last year for causing high food prices are now being charged with driving up food prices nationwide.

According to an Associated Press story, “Federal prosecutors say buyers for Kraft Foods and Frito-Lay are pleading guilty to accepting bribes as part of a scheme that helped drive up food prices nationwide.”

Whoa - what is TOTALLY wrong with this picture? Read more about the whole sordid scheme here.

Bottom line - “the investigation is ongoing.”

Ag Secretary Vilsack Speaks on Ethanol

Newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke out yesterday in favor of improving efficiency in ethanol plants in order to ensure that the industry survives the economic downturn.

The USDA should research, develop and promote “best practices” to improve efficiency at corn-based ethanol plants, which have been hit hard by volatile corn prices, followed by a sharp drop in demand for the biofuel, which is more expensive than gasoline, Vilsack said.

“We need to make sure that the biofuels industry has the necessary support to survive the recent downturn,” Vilsack told reporters.

Vilsack also talked about the development of cellulosic ethanol.

The USDA also needs to speed up work on biofuels made from non-food plant sources, Vilsack said, as well as wind energy and other renewable sources of power.

The 2008 farm bill has several measures that should be quickly implemented to boost demand for new types of biofuels, he said, including tax credits, grants and loans for expanding plants and converting them to use new feedstocks.

The new administration is definitely a fan of biofuels and renewable energy, which should put this country on a good path for the future.