Washington, D.C. – Citing the bill’s strong provisions for ethanol and renewable fuels, Minority Leader Tom Daschle today told WNAX farm editor Michelle Rook that he supports the energy bill and, if filibustered, will vote for cloture. WNAX is a talk radio station in Yankton, South Dakota. The story WNAX filed with Associated Press is attached at the bottom of this release. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “I want to thank Senator Daschle for supporting this bill. I want to thank him for standing with us on a cloture vote should that become necessary. I have visited frequently with Senator Daschle as we have crafted this bill. I value his insights and suggestions. This is a better bill for his input these past months. “This bill ensures that rural America plays a strong role in America’s energy solutions. The ethanol provisions in this bill are not only good for family farmers and rural America, but they protect our air and water, reduce greenhouse gases, reduce our reliance on foreign oil and create jobs.This bill is the right choice for rural America. I thank Senator Daschle for his assistance and support.” > DASCHLE TO VOTE FOR ENERGY BILL > MICHELLE ROOK, WNAX RADIO > > SOUTH DAKOTA SENATOR TOM DASCHLE SAYS HE WILL VOTE FOR THE ENERGY BILL. > THE BILL EASILY PASSED THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY, BUT THERE WAS MUCH SPECULATION > THE BILL WOULD HAVE A TOUGH TIME MAKING IT THROUGH THE SENATE, > ESPECIALLY WITHOUT DASCHLE'S SUPPORT. > DASCHLE SAYS HE DOES EXPECTS A FILIBUSTER TO BE ATTEMPTED SINCE > THERE ARE SEVERAL SENATORS THAT OPPOSED TO THE M-T-B-E LIABILITY > WAIVER INCLUDED IN THE BILL. HOWEVER, HE SAYS HE WILL VOTE FOR > CLOTURE TO END THE FILIBUSTER IF THAT HAPPENS. > DASCHLE SAYS HE WAS ALSO DISAPPOINTED IN THE M-T-B-E LIABILITY > WAIVERS AND THE LACK OF INITIATIVES FOR WIND ENERGY, BUT HE IS > SUPPORTING THE BILL. > HE SAYS IT IS GOOD FOR RENEWABLE FUELS AND THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA. ###