The Republican House recently included a provision limiting the use of the military’s $60 million biofuels program. The Senate, however, beat back a similar attempt there.

It’s an important issue for areas like Hawaii and California that have biofuels companies. In an opinion piece she co-authored with Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif. in Roll Call, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard argued that biofuels prevents the military from being dependent on foreign oil.

The piece notes that a Hawaii company called Pacific Biodiesel “provides full-time employment, benefits and retirement plans for 50 permanent employees. “

— Kery Murakami