"Pennsylvania, particularly its rural communities, is poised to reap tremendous benefits from investments in alternative fuels," Wolff told the students. "Clearfield County will help lead our state toward energy independence, creating new jobs and supporting local farmers and businesses.

"Our growing dependence on fossil fuels from countries that are politically unstable or controlled by regimes hostile to America's interests is a danger to our national security. Biodiesel presents a strong alternative, especially when considering the escalating cost and demand for petroleum diesel."

Wolff and Rep. Camille "Bud" George met with Jackie Carr's agricultural science students, as well as members of the school's FFA chapter, formerly the Future Farmers of America. Alternative energy sources - like biofuels derived from corn and soybeans - and solar and wind energy, will propel economic growth in rural communities and reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil, Wolff said.

Clearfield Borough is the future home of the state's first ethanol plant, which will produce corn-based ethanol and cellulosic ethanol made from plant matter. The planned Bioenergy International plant will be among the largest facilities east of the Mississippi. It is expected to produce 108 million gallons of corn-based ethanol.

Wolff said the United States imports 60 percent of its oil, with Pennsylvania spending $30 billion annually on liquid fuels produced beyond the state's borders.

"We need to take steps now to reduce this dependence and keep more of that $30 billion here in Pennsylvania where we can invest it in our farmers and our communities," Wolff said. "Bringing new fuel industries, particularly ethanol production, to rural communities will benefit a host of industries, from the farmers who produce the raw materials to the transportation companies that will bring biofuels to the rest of the state."

Governor Edward G. Rendell's newly proposed 2008-2009 state budget includes a strong investment in renewable energy through his PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, which calls for the production and use of 1 billion gallons of biofuels in the state. The Governor's Energy Independence Strategy would require every gallon of gasoline sold in Pennsylvania to include 10 percent ethanol once in-state production reaches 200 million gallons per year, with incremental increases up to 20 percent once annual production reaches 300 million gallons.