PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9 , 2006
CONTACT: 308-238-0375

Scott Kleeb Calls for Aggressive Fuel Standards to Promote Energy Independence

KEARNEY, NE – In a candidate forum yesterday, third district congressional candidate Scott Kleeb called for aggressive new fuels standards to increase domestic production of ethanol and biofuels and reduce America’s reliance on foreign oil.

Addressing more than 300 high school juniors and seniors gathered in Lincoln for the 66th Annual Nebraska Boys’ State, Scott called on Congress to dramatically increase targets for alternative fuel production. “Brazil did it thirty years ago, and today Brazil is energy independent,” Scott said.

Scott called on Congress to:

Expand the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to 12 billion gallons per year by 2012

Require all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) by 2017

Require major oil companies to offer E85 at half of their gas stations by 2017

“We don’t have the luxury of waiting for market forces alone to solve this critical problem,” Scott said in a statement after the forum. “We have an opportunity now not only to pave the way to energy independence, but to boost markets for Nebraska farmers, expand Nebraska’s biofuel industry, and create a new generation of high-paying jobs, so our young people don’t have to leave the third district in search of opportunity.”

Adrian Smith, Scott’s opponent in the third district race, said the “market is a wonderful thing,” and said he opposes fuel standards. He suggested environmental regulations were the main obstacle to increasing ethanol production. This is in line with the position of Club for Growth, a conservative special interest group that has supported Mr. Smith’s congressional bid to the tune of almost $400,000.

There are nearly 5 million flexible fuel vehicles operating in the United States today, but this is still a tiny percentage of the total vehicle fleet. Flexible fuel vehicles can operate using straight gasoline or an 85% ethanol blend (E85). The technology is reliable, and it would be relatively inexpensive to integrate it into today’s auto manufacturing processes.