BOND: MISSOURI LEADING THE WAY IN DEVELOPING CLEAN-ENERGY SOURCES
Oct 04,2010 – St. Louis, MO – U.S. Senator Kit Bond stressed that in response to an increasing global energy demand, nations must develop energy policies that lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and move to alternative sources. Delivering the keynote address at Washington University’s Symposium on Global Energy Future, Bond praised Missouri for already leading the way in developing a number of clean-energy and alternative-energy sources.
“Whether we are from the United States, India, China, or any other country, we are all grappling with the same issues,” said Bond. “While countries will continue to rely on fossil fuels to meet a large portion of demand, we very much need energy policies that less our dependence on fossil fuels to alternative sources of energy that are cleaner, and more efficient, and that promote energy independence within countries. If you will forgive the home-town pride, Missouri has some clean-energy and alternative-energy options worth exploring right here.”
Speaking at today’s symposium, sponsored by the university’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, Bond emphasized that the question plaguing countries around the world is how to meet energy needs without adverse consequences to the environment or economic growth. Bond applauded collaborative efforts, like the one Washington University developed between the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) and the McDonnell Academy Global Energy and Environment Partnership which bring together many individuals and disciplines in the hope of generating solutions.
Bond also praised Missouri – already a leader in a number of clean and alternative energy fields. First, Bond pointed to battery technology – a field Missouri has long been ahead. Now, the state is also leading the way in advanced Lithium-Ion battery development and energy storage – a number of companies, including Dow-Kokam and Exergonix, are developing exciting technology in this field. The Senator next mentioned clean coal technology, particularly important to states like Missouri, which relies on coal for more than 80 percent of its electricity. In response to this need, City Utilities in Springfield has a promising project underway to sequester carbon underground, carbon that would otherwise enter the earth’s atmosphere.
Biomass is a good example of a brand-new industry that would especially benefit from the type of cooperation I-CARES provides to move forward, Bond emphasized. The Senator pointed out that Missouri is perfectly suited for the development of this industry – the state has plentiful raw materials like forage grass, cottonwood, willow, corn stover and scrub timber. In fact, in Missouri, 10 to 11 tons of dry wood scrub timber, which could produce 2 thousand megawatts of electricity goes unharvested annually. To jump start this industry, Bond worked with the State to land a $1.6 billion investment for construction of a new data center, which require large amounts of green power to run. The Senator also believes that biomass shows further promise when combined with coal. One of the best ways to make coal environmentally-friendly is to make use of the vast amount of biomass feedstock we have available by burning it with coal.
for power – a process now being explored by the National Corngrowers Association and rural electric cooperatives.
To keep the momentum moving in the right direction in the development of new clean and alternative energy industries the federal government must stop throwing up roadblocks. Bond pointed to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed rule that would reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard for cellulosic ethanol targets. Another roadblock is being proposed for biomass – the EPA wants to treat emissions from the burning of biomass the same as those from fossil fuels.
