The bill introduced by Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., would double the percentage of renewable fuels sold in America in six years and extend tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel through 2015 while increasing tax benefits to small ethanol producers.

In addition, the legislation would expand the market for biodiesel fuel by increasing the percentage of flex-fuel vehicles, which can run on either gasoline or ethanol, to 75 percent of all cars made in America in seven years. It also would offer additional incentives to encourage more gasoline stations to sell biodiesel and E-85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol.

In the United States, ethanol is made primarily from corn, and Etheridge said increasing its sale would benefit farmers and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The legislation also calls for additional investment in research to make biofuel production more efficient and environmentally sound.