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Southern Illinois Congressman Enyart Looks To Spur Biofuels In Air Force

Chris McDaniel, St. Louis Public Radio.

Illinois Congressman Bill Enyart is announcing new legislation to support biofuels used in the military.

At a Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville research center, the first-term Democrat outlined his legislation, which would incentivize the use of biofuels in the Air Force through competitive research grants.

Speaking next to leaders of farm and ethanol groups, Enyart announced the legislation just a couple miles from Scott Air Force Base.

“I’d like to note that we stand beside fields of corn and soybeans that will be harvested in the coming weeks," Enyart said. "And across from those crops are runways that support fighter jets and refueling tankers that keep us secure from any threat in the world.”

Enyart said the biofuels could come from crops in Southern Illinois.

"The Navy currently uses it (biofuels) now, and there's some use in the private sector," Enyart said. "But it's not at the extent that it should be."

Follow Chris McDaniel on Twitter@csmcdaniel