Senator announces Sapphire Energy has repaid its entire USDA loan guarantee for algae biofuel development
 
WASHINGTON - On his weekly radio press conference call, U.S. Senator Tom Udall discussed how the Senate’s Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill supports New Mexico’s priorities and previewed tomorrow’s Indian Affairs Hearing on the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2013 (NAHASDA).
Udall also congratulated Sapphire Energy on the entire repayment of its U.S. Department of Agriculture loan guarantee. Sapphire is a new energy company with facilities in Las Cruces and Columbus that is transforming algae into crude oil as part of its “Green Crude Farm.” Udall secured over $900,000 in FY 2009 Appropriations for their research, and Sapphire also received a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help build the facility.

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Below are highlights from Udall’s remarks:
0:00 – Udall opens the call urging the Senate to pass the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. It contains vital funding for rural road improvements; for safe, affordable housing for homeless veterans; and for community development and housing projects in New Mexico. It also funds the Essential Air Service, which allows small rural airports like Carlsbad, Clovis and Silver City to receive regular commercial air service. Udall is pushing for an amendment that would let Alamogordo get back in program.
0:54 – “The funding in this bill helps drive economic development in our rural communities and on tribal lands. I am urging my colleagues to pass this bill, so we can get it one step closer to the president’s desk. We need this bill for New Mexico, and I’m hopeful we will get it done this week.”
1:13 – Udall previews tomorrow’s Indian Affairs Committee hearing on the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2013 (NAHASDA), which he co-introduced last week. NAHASDA is a signature piece of legislation for Indian Country, critical to help tribes ensure that their members have safe, quality housing.
1:48 – “The bill is in need of updating. Tomorrow the Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing and begin working to get it passed. I am a member of that committee. I will be working to make sure the Congress meets its trust responsibilities to Indian Country. And honors the unique state-to-state relationship with Tribes.”
2:07 – Udall congratulates Sapphire Energy in Southern New Mexico on repaying its entire $54.5 million loan guarantee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
2:34 – “[Sapphire] is one of our state’s great examples of the potential of renewable energy, and they are on the road to success. Since 2009, I have worked with them and the federal government to see their algae-to-crude oil commercial facility become a reality…
“Thanks to the early investment, the Green Crude Farm is operational and producing renewable crude oil on a continuous basis. They are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and our carbon footprint, and creating jobs for hardworking New Mexicans. I am proud to have supported their efforts early on, and I am very pleased to see them repay this loan ahead of schedule.”
3:47 – Udall answers a question on Santa Fe Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg’s visit to Washington, DC where he will discuss the need for increased funding to fight wildfires in light of the Southwest’s drier climate.