The United States Department of Agriculture and Federal Aviation Administration on April 15 signed a five-year extension to an agreement to work for the development for jet fuel made from feed grains produced in the U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed the agreement, which Vilsack called "an innovative, creative partnership to help build biorefineries that will produce more drop-in fuel."
The use of feed grains for fuel may not be popular for poultry and livestock producers, who rely on that grain supply for their animals. But Vilsack said during a radio address that it would be beneficial to the U.S. in terms of creating jobs and developing fuel domestically, instead of relying on foreign countries for the fuel supply.
"Today's announcement, I think, underscores the fact that the future for this country lies in energy security and controlling our own destiny by producing our own fuels in a creative and innovative way," said Vilsack.
The goal of the agreement is to be able to produce one billion gallons of fuel a year within five years.
