Biofuels Major Sticking Point In DoD Policy Bill Debate Emelie Rutherford

Biofuels Major Sticking Point In DoD Policy Bill Debate
Emelie Rutherford

Proposals to limit the Pentagon’s controversial alternative-fuel-development efforts are major sticking points in congressional haggling over the defense policy bill, according to lawmakers and aides.

While Senate floor debate on the fiscal year 2013 defense authorization legislation was stalled last week by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Senate and House aides have been meeting informally to reconcile versions of the bill passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and full House. In those behind-the-scenes talks, whether to restrict Pentagon biofuels-development efforts is a major unresolved sticking point, aides said.

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And, meanwhile, senators preparing to debate the defense authorization bill on the Senate floor are bracing for a fight over removing anti-biofuels language that Republicans added to the SASC’s version of the legislation back in May. The bill currently prohibits the Pentagon from buying alternative fuels if they cost more than traditional fossil fuels and also bans the military from building a biofuels refinery unless specifically authorized by law.

SASC Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) told Defense Daily he expects the Senate to debate one amendment to strike anti-biofuels language from the Senate bill and another amendment positively authorizing the Pentagon’s alternative-fuel efforts.

“I would hope the prohibition would now be stricken, and the authorization would be added,” said Levin, who has defended the military’s alternative-energy efforts.
However, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.)…login to read more…

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