WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Mar 21, 2007 -- UPI

 

The Bush administration's proposed farm bill would expand support of renewable fuels, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Wednesday in Indiana.

Among the bill's proposals is a plan to invest $1.6 billion in renewable-energy programs over 10 years, with a focus on developing "cellulosic ethanol" as a cost-effective alternative to corn-based ethanol, Johanns said.

Cellulosic ethanol can be made from wood chips, grasses and agricultural waste.

Johanns spoke while touring Purdue's cellulosic ethanol research labs in West Lafayette, Ind.

At Purdue Johanns also met with Bernie Tao, a professor working to develop a soy-based jet fuel.

Earlier Johanns participated in a second-phase groundbreaking at an Indiana town that is working toward subsisting almost entirely on locally produced alternative energy.

Reynolds, Ind.'s Biotown USA project hopes to meet all town energy needs with biorenewable resources, town council President Charlie Van Voorst said.

As part of the effort, some town vehicles have changed to ethanol and biodiesel and use animal waste to produce energy, The Lafayette Journal & Courier reported.

News Provided By