WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 The biofuels industry on Wednesday said President Bush's goal to produce 35 billion gallons of alternative fuels by 2017 was an achievable target.I don't think anything was missing from the speech last night, Bob Dineen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, said in a conference call with reporters. I think he was speaking to the American public ... and laying out a very bold goal that is eminently achievable.Bush's speech Tuesday called for a reduction in gasoline consumption and an increase in production of renewable fuels, along with other energy-related measures. The ethanol industry says that in order for the president's plan to succeed, ethanol from cellulose must become commercially viable. Most of the ethanol in the United States now comes from corn.The president is recognizing the role that ethanol can and, indeed, must play in our nation's energy future, Dineen said. ... Developing cellulosic technologies will be necessary to move our industry beyond grain-based ethanol.Ron Miller, president of the RFA, agreed. He said it will require the development of cellulosic ethanol technology, the expansion of E85 markets and the use of higher ethanol blends in order to reach Bush's goals outlined Tuesday night.Still, corn prices are at record highs and cellulosic ethanol is nearly a decade away from commercial viability.Miller said: At some point in the next decade, we are going to be looking at a solid contribution from cellulose, but we'll continue to produce more and more corn in this country and that will also be used for energy crops.Dineen said the country corn farmers would be able to match the demand both for ethanol and as a feedstock for cattle.Copyright 2007 by UPI
