Senators Yager and McNally win approval of motion to continue UT-sponsored biofuels project

 (NASHVILLE, TN), November 18, 2009 -- State Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman) successfully won approval of his motion in the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee today to continue the University of Tennessee (UT)-sponsored research and development program for biofuels.  The vote came after UT officials pointed out that the project has already returned more than $161 million in new federal research dollars and industrial capital.

Senator Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) seconded the motion to move the project forward. 

“There was some miscommunication regarding this project that has been cleared up over the past two weeks,” said Senator Yager.  “I am very pleased that the committee voted overwhelmingly with us to keep this project on track.  It compliments $135 million in a Department of Energy investment in the Federal Bioenergy Science Center in Oak Ridge and is a tremendous economic boost to our region.”

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture have developed ethanol from switchgrass, a crop that can be grown virtually anywhere in Tennessee.  The state invested $70 million in the project in 2007 with the hopes that it will represent significant new rural markets for biomass crops and ethanol facilities in Tennessee.  UT officials told the Fiscal Review Committee that they plan to begin operations using switchgrass in December.  Until this time, the facility has been using corn cobs as biomass as they developed the research needed to transition to switchgrass. 

The biofuels program came under fire in the committee two weeks ago due to a change in the scope of the project.  Yager moved to delay a vote until additional information could be obtained after dissent was expressed regarding the status of the project and the use of corn cobbs as biomass during the start-up of the program.

“We have the distinct advantage of having scientific and research communities in our universities and laboratories in this region that are required to help us maximize its potential,” added Yager, whose district includes the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  “This is a large investment and we certainly need to be accountable and our action today does put in place the appropriate benchmarks to make sure this happens.  At the same time, we have every reason to believe that this research will help position our state to be a national leader in the production of biomass ethanol and related research to help lessen our dependence on foreign oil.”

“UT has assured us that they will meet this goal and will not need any additional state appropriations,” Yager added.  “This project helps us meet a national demand for enhanced energy security.  I am pleased the committee has voted to support this effort.”

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