A top Agriculture Department official Thursday offered a strong endorsement of the biofuels industry as Congress struggles to settle disagreements about putting more ethanol in transportation fuel.
Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, second in charge to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, told attendees at USDA’s annual outlook conference that the administration remains committed to making higher-ethanol fuel available year-round and to expanding volumes through the renewable fuel standard.
“We need E15 in this country,” Vaden said, referring to the 15 percent ethanol blend that can’t be sold during summer months in most of the country.
Vaden, who introduced a biofuels industry panel discussion, delivered his remarks as lawmakers are trying to reach an agreement to lift those seasonal restrictions through legislation, a deal that will require concessions from both biofuel and petroleum interests. The House Republican leadership has targeted a related vote for later this month but a firm proposal hadn’t emerged by Thursday afternoon.
