The House Democratic Rural Working Group, chaired by Bobby Etheridge (D-NC) and Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), unveiled the House Democratic Caucus' energy proposal.

The plan seeks to:

• double the percent of renewable fuels sold in the U.S. in six years,

• extend tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel through 2015 and increase tax benefits to small ethanol producers,

• increase the percentage of flex-fuel vehicles that run on ethanol or gas,

• make 75% of all U.S.-made cars run on flex-fuel within seven years,

• increase the number of gas stations offering ethanol (E-85) and biodiesel through new incentives and requirements, and

• invest in biofuels research to make production more efficient and environmentally sound.