Governor Brad Henry Proposes Biofuels Center

Tuesday, January 30th 2007, 5:15 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday proposed the creation of a world-class Oklahoma Bioenergy Center to develop fuels that would lessen the country's dependence on foreign oil.

If approved by the Legislature, the center would pool researchers from Oklahoma as well as other parts of the country to focus on biofuel research, development and education.

``With 60 percent of the nation's oil supply coming from foreign countries, many of which are openly hostile to the U.S., the need for renewable energy is clearly a matter of national security,'' Henry said.

``Not only would the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center play a vital role in reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, but it would be a great boon for Oklahoma in a number of ways. This institute would help diversify our state's economy, protect our environment, create high-paying jobs and contribute to a revitalization of rural Oklahoma.''

The center would be funded with $40 million over a four-year period under the Democratic governor's proposal.

Henry said Oklahoma is suited to have a major role in biofuels and bioenergy research. Not only does it produce promising energy crops, such as switchgrass and other native grasses, it has a long tradition in energy and agriculture, he said.

He said the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation would form a consortium that would be integral to the mission of the new research center.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, called Henry's plan ``a bold initiative that will keep Oklahoma among the world leaders in energy.''

Senate President Co-Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, also saw merit in the proposal.

``While oil and gas will continue to be the backbone of our energy industry for many years to come, it also makes sense for Oklahoma to take a leadership role in the development of new forms of energy, like biofuels,'' Coffee said.

House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, did not directly address the idea of a center, but said House Republicans are ``looking forward to hearing how the governor plans to balance the state's budget with all his recent spending proposals.''

Henry said biofuels research supported by the center would include development of feedstocks, primarily cellulosic biomass, collection and transportation, conversion technologies and distribution.

He said it will be a boon to the state's rural and agricultural economy and feature an education component to help interested farmers make the transition to energy crops and adopt best management practices.

Henry noted that President Bush stressed a new federal emphasis on biofuels in his State of the Nation speech.

Creation of the center, Henry said, will put Oklahoma in the forefront as private industry and the federal government make investments in renewable energy research and development.