ASME holds briefing on future of biofuels

As part of its new Energy Grand Challenge series, ASME recently convened a Congressional Noontime Briefing session in Washington, D.C., entitled, "The Future of Biofuels: An International Perspective."

This was the third briefing so far this year in which ASME brought an international expert to Capitol Hill to discuss how their country was utilizing a particular energy source. ASME's overall goal for the series is to feature a diverse set of nations and technologies that U.S. policymakers could consider in forming a comprehensive national energy strategy.

According to the Energy Information Administration, Brazil is currently the world's largest exporter of ethanol fuel as well as the 10th largest consumer of energy in the world. "The Future of Biofuels" briefing featured Mauricio Tolmasquim, president of the Energy Research Co. of Brazil and the country's former Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy.

Tolmasquim engaged the audience with details of how Brazil built up its ethanol industry, and discussed the country's total energy consumption, of which less than 40 percent currently comes from oil. He also discussed Brazil's use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFV), which allow consumers the choice of filling up on either regular gasoline or E100 (100 percent ethanol). More than seven out of 10 new vehicles sold in Brazil are FFV.

Video from the briefing and Tolmasquim's entire presentation is now available on ASME's Energy Grand Challenge Web site, which is located at www.asme.org/Communities/Technical/Energy/
Public_Policy.cfm. Information on other Energy Grand Challenge briefings, ASME's public policy activities, energy-related programs of ASME divisions and institutes, and other news and announcements can also be found on the Web site.

The briefing was held in conjunction with the House Congressional Research and Development Caucus, which is co-chaired by Reps. Rush Holt, D-N.J., and Judy Biggert, R-Ill. Information about the R&D Caucus is available at www.researchcaucus.org.

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