Ethanol plan aims to fix 'huge mistake'

Argus Leader
Thom Gabrukiewicz • tgabrukiew@argusleader.com • March 1, 2009

Bill OKs use of 'woody biomass' from federal lands

Legislation that would allow producers to make cellulosic ethanol out of "woody biomass" such as downed trees, trimmings and brush from federal lands was introduced Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., are co-sponsoring the Renewable Biofuels Facilitation Act.

The measure seeks to fix a flaw in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which set up the nation's renewable fuels standard. That act prevents producers from making cellulosic ethanol out of nearly all federal forest waste.

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