WASHINGTON, D.C. — During last week’s State of the Union address, President Obama restated his commitment to the aggressive development of renewable energy sources as part of his plan to create jobs and strengthen the American economy.

This was music to the ears of Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Assoc., along with others in the renewable fuels industry.

“Biofuels can provide the eco-boost the U.S. economy needs,” Dinneen said in a statement. “The ethanol industry is grateful to President Obama for his vision of a stronger, cleaner, more self-reliant country and his continuing support of the renewable fuels industry and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Working together, we can continue to address environmental issues such as meaningful greenhouse gas reduction, as well as the tough economic challenges of job creation and economic and national security.”

Obama also touched on immigration reform, a legislative priority of the California Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations around the country. He stressed the need to establish a pathway to earned citizenry for undocumented aliens to “harness the talents and ingenuity of striving, hopeful immigrants.”

The Keystone XL pipeline was one topic of interest to ag that was not raised by the President during his speech, drawing the scorn of the Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers President Dennis Slater.

“President Obama’s failure to address this issue was a real disappointment to the agriculture community that’s so vital to our nation’s economy and well-being,” he said.