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| (JANUARY 30, 2013) RENEWABLE FUELS HELP BUILD A STRONGER RURAL ECONOMY AND MORE SECURE ENERGY FUTURE | ||||||
| Agriculture Under Secretary Tonsager Underscores Important Role Renewable Fuels Play in President’s Energy Strategy | ||||||
| Altoona, Iowa, Jan 30, 2013
-- @@Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today addressed participants attending the 7th annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, in Altoona. During his presentation, Tonsager underscored the important role renewable fuels play in President Obama’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, which is designed to reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil. Tonsager said the U.S. cut net oil imports by 10 percent, or one million barrels a day, in 2012. “As domestic oil production expands we will also need to blend it with our domestically produced biofuels, whether cellulosic ethanol or drop in, biodiesel or aviation, and the sooner the better,” Tonsager added. The Renewable Fuel Standard, with a goal to use at least 36 billion gallons of bio-based transportation fuels by 2022, lays the foundation for reducing imported petroleum, and encouraging the development and expansion of our nation’s renewable fuels sector. “Midwestern renewable fuels are helping to pave the way toward our goal of solidifying and enhancing a renewable energy future,” Tonsager said. “I look forward to a continued partnership to build a stronger rural economy, and a cleaner, more secure energy future.” This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,600 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure. USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by calling the Indianola office at (515) 961-5365 Ext. 4 or by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia. USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity lender with a variety of grant and direct and guaranteed loan programs for single and multi-family housing, community facilities, water and sewer development and business and industry programs.
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