http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/16/AR2005051600259.html

( Bush finally pushing BIODIESEL!
 I cannot wait to get a fill up of soybean/hemp diesel )

Bush Urges Development of Alternate Fuels

By JENNIFER LOVEN
The Associated Press
Monday, May 16, 2005; 1:17 PM

WEST POINT, Va. -- With gasoline prices soaring, President Bush urged
Congress on Monday to encourage development of alternate fuels like
biodiesel and ethanol to make the United States less dependent on
foreign oil.

"Our dependence on foreign oil is like a foreign tax on the American
dream, and that tax is growing every year," Bush said at the Virginia
BioDiesel Refinery about 140 miles south of Washington.
President Bush pauses during a speech at the Annual Peace Officers'
Memorial Service on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at the Capitol building in
Washington. Last year 153 police officers were killed in the line of
duty, and 50 so far this year. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush pauses during a speech at the Annual Peace Officers'
Memorial Service on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at the Capitol building in
Washington. Last year 153 police officers were killed in the line of
duty, and 50 so far this year. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Evan Vucci - AP)
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Bush flew here, about 30 miles from Richmond, to visit a production
facility for biodiesel, an alternative fuel made from soybeans that is
cleaner-burning and American-made, but carries a higher price tag that
regular diesel fuel. It is often blended with conventional
transportation fuels as an extender.

Before his speech, the president got a demonstration of how biodiesel
is made _ and how cleanly it burns in an engine. Bush was given a white
handkerchief that had been held on an exhaust pipe of a revved-up
18-wheeler, and deemed it clean enough to hold up to his nose.

"Biodiesel is one of our nation's most promising alternative fuel
sources and by developing biodiesel you're making this country less
dependent on foreign sources of oil," he said.

"Americans are concerned about high prices at the pump and they're
really concerned as they start making their travel plans, and I
understand that," the president said. "I wish I could just wave a magic
wand and lower the price at the pump. I'd do that. But that's not how
it works."

He said the high prices confronting consumers have been decades in the
making.

Bush urged Congress to enact energy legislation that he says addresses
both supply and conservation issues in a bid to make the United States
less dependent on foreign nations, particularly those in the volatile
Middle East, for its energy needs.

Bush has attempted to set an August deadline for Congress to get a bill
to his desk. The House has approved a plan with many elements that Bush
wants, though he opposes the billions in tax breaks and subsidies to
energy companies that it contains. The Senate has yet to act on
alternative legislation.

Bush's plan would open an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling as
part of its attempt to address supply problems.

His focus Monday, though, was on the part of the plan that boosts
support for conservation and fossil fuel alternatives _ such as
hydrogen, biodiesel and clean coal technology. Separately, Bush has
also offered proposals to speed construction of nuclear power plants
and oil refineries.

Monday's appearance was one of three this week, in Washington and
around the country, that are designed to turn Bush's focus back to his
chief domestic priorities after a foreign trip. Later in the week, Bush
was pushing his free-trade agenda, particularly a pact with Central
American and Caribbean nations, and his proposals to remake and
strengthen Social Security.

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