U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Thune (R-SD) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) today introduced legislation that authorizes loan guarantees for the construction of renewable fuel pipeline projects. While the Midwest and Plains states produce the majority of the biofuels in the United States, the nation is currently lacking the infrastructure... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today offered the first amendment to the Democratic budget that would prohibit the collection of funds from any future cap and trade proposal if that proposal would increase electricity rates and gasoline prices for American households and businesses. “As American families and businesses are struggling to make... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune praised a waiver request submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of over 50 ethanol producers for the approval of up to 15 percent ethanol (85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol) for use in non-flex fuel vehicles. Senator Thune has been working for the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune recently sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson in support of the Big Stone II power plant, which will create over 2,500 jobs in northeast South Dakota. “Energy demand throughout the Upper Midwest, including South Dakota, is rising due to the needs of... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today commented on the Wind-Hydro Integration study released by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). The study analyzes the potential integration of wind power in central South Dakota and the use of hydroelectric power generated by the Missouri River. “South Dakota has tremendous energy resources in the... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today issued the following statement in response to an interim report from the U.S. Department of Energy concerning on-going tests of higher blends of ethanol. “E10, the mixture of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol is currently saving consumers money and reducing our dependence on imported... Continue Reading
The U.S. Senate today passed H.R. 6049, a bill to extend several tax provisions relating to energy production, including the production tax credit for wind energy through 2009. The measure passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 93 to 2. “The investors who are going to make large-scale wind energy... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today announced that the Senate approved the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, including several South Dakota defense related projects and a Thune sponsored energy initiative.... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune today toured the Heartland Consumers Power District’s Wessington Springs Wind Project. The facility outside Wessington Springs will be one of the largest wind farms in South Dakota when completed. “America needs to diversify the energy sources that fuel over everyday lives. I believe South Dakota wind power... Continue Reading
U.S. Senator John Thune, as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Energy, Science and Technology Subcommittee, conducted a public hearing today on transforming forest waste into biofuels. Despite the fact that ethanol can be produced from a host of different feedstocks, the definition of “Renewable Biomass” in the final version... Continue Reading
Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Thune toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. NREL is the nation’s primary laboratory devoted to researching renewable energy. “During my visit, I was again impressed with how much home-grown energy potential is available in the United States. NREL demonstrates on a daily... Continue Reading
Senator John Thune, as Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Energy Subcommittee, will conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 18th, on the subject of transforming forest waste into biofuels. The hearing will also address the current prohibition on ethanol produced from forest waste counting towards the Renewable Fuels Standard.... Continue Reading
