A bipartisan amendment to the energy bill sponsored by Grassley and Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota requires the federal government to increase the use of ethanol and biodiesel fuels in its vehicles. It was accepted today as part of the energy bill now being debated by the U.S. Senate.
"Renewable fuels improve air quality, strengthen national security, reduce the trade deficit, decrease dependence on Saddam Hussein for oil, and expand markets for agriculture products," Grassley said. "This amendment is helping the federal government lead by example as we use renewable fuels where practical."
The amendment requires federal fleet vehicles to use 10 percent ethanol-blended gasoline, or the highest available percentage of ethanol. This requirement applies if ethanol is available at a generally competitive price in the fleet's region. In addition, federal agencies with centrally fueled diesel fleet vehicles will be required to use at least a 2 percent biodiesel blend in their diesel fuel by 2007 and a 20 percent biodiesel blend in their diesel fuel by 2012.