USDA says Biofuels Reduce Need for Foreign Oil

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak discussed how the increased use of biofuels is helping to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil during a tour of AGP Biodiesel, the USDA said.

Vilsack highlighted last week's action by the Environmental Protection Agency to establish the volume of biodiesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets. 

"President Obama's all-of-the-above energy plan is working - today, we are importing less foreign oil than we have in nearly two decades and we are creating jobs by producing more of our energy here at home," Vilsack said. "A key part of the President's strategy is the development and promotion of biofuels and bio-based products, which are helping us fuel our cars and trucks and displacing petroleum used in the manufacturing of household products."

Creating new markets for the nation's agricultural products through biobased manufacturing is one of the many steps the Obama Administration has taken over the past three years to strengthen the rural economy, the USDA said. 

Read the full release here.