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Clinton Pushes for Cleaner Fuel
By KEVIN GALVIN Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Aiming to reduce U.S. oil demand
and protect the environment, President Clinton on Thursday created
an interagency council to promote technologies that turn trees, plants and
even animal waste into energy.
Clinton cast the initiative as both a security issue and a crucial stroke
against global warming.
``If we can make the raw material of tomorrow's economy living, renewable
resources instead of fossil fuels, which pollute the atmosphere and warm
the planet,
the future of our children and our grandchildren, the likelihood that there
will be more prosperity and peace - all that will be far greater,'' he said.
Supporting the initiative were two key farm-state senators who have
legislation of their own promoting ``biomass'' development.
``We must press forward with creative, high-tech solutions to counter the
world's finite supply of traditional energy sources,'' said Sen. Chuck
Grassley, R-Iowa.
GOP Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, chairman of the Senate Agriculture
Committee, added: ``We are only at the beginning of a revolution in
biotechnology that
will lead to more efficient use of the world's resources, enabling
ecologically sustainable growth.''
House Republicans have been slow to embrace the issue.
The ``biomass'' industry is dedicated to finding more efficient ways of
using trees, plants and other renewable sources - chicken droppings, for
example - to fuel
cars, light homes, and propel planes.
Advances in this area could reduce emissions that are hazardous to the
environment and also provide a multibillion dollar industry for loggers,
chemical
companies and the nation's farmers. Vice President Al Gore unveiled the
plan in Iowa, where he has been campaigning for the Democratic presidential
nomination.
``The potential economic benefits are staggering,'' Clinton said.
Reducing the nation's dependence on volatile foreign markets was an added
plus. Clinton said that increasing global economic activity and competition
for oil
could soon begin to drive oil prices up.
``It's important for our economy, for our security, for our environment,''
Clinton said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David Wood
Senior Associate
Center on Wisconsin Strategy
1180 Observatory Drive, Rm. 7122
Madison WI 53706
608-263-7563
dwood@ssc.wisc.edu