House defense bill would end biofuel effort

The U.S. House is debating the annual Department of Defense bill, which includes a measure backed by Minnesota Republican John Kline that would halt a Pentagon effort to increase the use of biofuels.

Even small increases in gas prices can add up to millions of dollars in costs for the military, which has successfully tested biofuel-powered aircraft and ships.

Kline, who served as a pilot in the Marine Corps, said the program is too expensive at a time when the military is facing budget cuts.

"We don't want the military right now to be used for the commercialization of that when it's costing so much money and the military just doesn't have it," he said.

Kline said he supports further research and development into biofuels for the military, just not their widespread use.