ABO Applauds Inclusion of Algae-based Fuels in Bill
The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) recognized the leadership of Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, for including the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) amendment offered by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), chair of the Senate Energy Committee, and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) in the chair's mark of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733).
According to the trade association, the amendment effectively levels the playing field for advanced green biofuel feedstocks, and recognizes the potential of algae to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, create jobs and increase the nation's energy independence.
The key provision clarifies the mandates outlined in the RFS of the Clean Air Act. The "Advanced Green Biofuels" amendment establishes greenhouse gas reduction targets for the fuels produced from the renewable biomass and clarifies that algae and other renewable biomass which meet these standards qualify under the RFS.
"By adding the Bingaman-Carper amendment, Senator Boxer and her colleagues on the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works have addressed one of the biggest challenges to commercialization of algae-based biofuels – parity with other feedstocks," said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the ABO. "Since algae-based fuels meet the requirements of the RFS for emissions reductions and renewable biomass, it is only fair that they be treated the same as other feedstocks."
The Algal Biomass Organization is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for the development of commercially viable transportation and power generation fuels as well as other non-energy applications for algal biomass.