Programs: Science and Policy S&T Newsletter: March 2007 With
Democrats at the reins in Congress, the Administration
acknowledging that global warming is “a serious problem,”
religious groups and industry pushing for a solution, energy
independence becoming intricately linked to national security,
and gas prices rising, biofuels have become an instant superstar
in the new energy milieu. Both the legislative and executive
branches have been actively producing policy proposals,
initiatives, and legislation to address biofuels innovation and
production. Unlike climate change, biofuels have remained a
bipartisan issue with broad political appeal. In his 2007 State
of the Union Address, President Bush unveiled Twenty In Ten:
Strengthening America's Energy Security, a new energy policy
intended to reduce U.S. gas consumption by 20 percent in ten
years. Along with improving efficiency, the President expects to
reach this goal with a mandatory fuel standard requiring 35
billion gallons of renewable and alternative fue