The idea is that home-grown US energy from corn and soybean byproducts can offset the nation's growing dependence on oil imports and relieve consumers and businesses suffering from escalating energy costs.

The plan has drawn an odd coalition of supporters, ranging from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to former President Bill Clinton's chief of staff John Podesta and the Big Three US automakers -- General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group.

"My sense is we can build a big suburban interest in this," said Gingrich, once one of Clinton's stoutest adversaries who presided over the early stages of his impeachment proceedings.

Finance Committee chairman Grassley, whose home state of Iowa is the biggest US corn grower and ethanol maker, has pushed for more renewable energy from corn-blended ethanol. Fellow Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat, also supports the measure.

"We have great confidence that America's farmers, ranchers and foresters have the abilities and resources to reach this ambitious goal," Grassley said.

Rising energy prices and a mandate in last year's energy bill requiring more ethanol use have been a boon to domestic ethanol promoters. There are 44 proposals in the pipeline to build or expand new US ethanol refineries that would add 1.4 billion gallons of capacity this year.

The 25-by-25 idea has drawn the support of 140 farm, forestry and environmental organizations and companies, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Wildlife Federation.

State governors ranging from Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer have also endorsed it.

It takes its place among a bevy of ideas floating around Congress aimed at taking action on energy prices -- which will be a key issue during the upcoming November midterm elections.

A bipartisan group of US senators including Democrat Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Republican Norm Coleman of Minnesota have proposed legislation to cut US oil use in half over 30 years through a mix of incentives and mandates.