Putting domestically produced biofuels at the center of the nation’s energy planning is the objective of three measures recently reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.

The Republican from Hull said one of the bills will also “pump the brakes” on what he considers to be a poor plan to switch the federal government’s fleet to all electric vehicles.

“In Iowa, every other row of corn and soybeans produces low cost, low carbon ethanol and biodiesel,” the congressman said in a written statement. “As a result, the vitality of our rural economy relies on a strong biofuels industry and a thriving agricultural sector. These three bills will support both.”

One of the bills is called the Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act. It would direct the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing the federal fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles with either electric vehicles or those capable of using E85 ethanol blends.

The Biojet Fuel Research Act would direct the federal government to lead the way on researching renewable aviation fuel.

The Biofuel Cell Research Act would direct the Department of Energy to establish a research and development program that would lead to making fuel cell systems that use biofuels as the main energy source.

Feenstra introduced all three measures last year, but they did not advance.

The bills are supported by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

“Iowa Corn is always working towards expanding and protecting the biofuels industry, as it is a major source of corn grind within the state,” Denny Friest, the president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said in a written statement.

Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, added, “There is no doubt in our mind that over the next decade low carbon biofuels will out-perform electric vehicles if judged by sound science. Unfortunately, we repeatedly see policy makers put their fingers on the scales. Rep. Feenstra’s biofuels bills will help ensure the competition is on a level, scientifically-based playing field.”