Prairie Public Broadcasting

Congressman Buyer introduces new energy bill LAFAYETTE, IN (wbaa) - Congressman Steve Buyer is touting a new energy bill aimed at increasing domestic production.

He and other Republican members of Congress are calling for exploration of oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Outer Continental Shelf, which are coastal areas.

Buyer says the legislation also would establish a fourth bioenergy research center with up to $125 million of funding over five years.

He says scientists there would look into such things as using corn stalks for ethanol, not just corn.

Buyer says Congress passed an energy bill last year which increased fuel mileage standards and other conservation measures.

He thinks now is the time to focus on increasing supplies in the United States. © Copyright 2012, wbaa