U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today welcomed news that Kinder Morgan Energy Partners has successfully and safely moved ethanol through an existing gasoline pipeline.

“For too long ethanol has been viewed as a niche industry. The truth is that ethanol from corn, specialty energy crops, and other forms of agricultural and municipal waste has the potential to make a dramatic contribution to reducing U.S. oil dependence. Last week in a speech at Purdue University Calumet, I called for a national goal to make competitively-priced biofuels available to every motorist in America,” said Lugar. “Demonstrating that ethanol can be transported by pipeline is an important step in reaching this goal.”

Last week, Lugar continued his focus on America’s energy security by highlighting innovative energy projects across Indiana. In meetings with scientists at the University of Notre Dame’s Energy Center and Purdue University’s Research Park, Lugar discussed development of technologies to allow for ethanol’s transport in current gasoline pipelines and advancements in the efficiency of cellulosic ethanol.

Ethanol’s current means of transport are via rail, truck or barge, which some critics have argued makes it less desirable as a national fuel. The Houston Chronicle reported on Kinder Morgan Energy Partners’ successful movement of ethanol through pipelines in an October 16 article, and this development further underscores ethanol’s ability to displace significant amounts of gasoline in the United States.

Lugar recently joined with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) to introduce and pass legislation aimed at helping to efficiently bring ethanol to communities across America by treating pipeline’s that transport renewable fuels the same tax benefits as those moving petroleum products.