Johnson said the new SmartWay Grow & Go program aims for 25 percent of businesses already taking part in an EPA emissions reduction program to be using renewable fuels by 2012. By 2020, the goal is for 50 percent of them to have made the switch.

Getting more companies to use renewable, crop-based fuels will boost the nation's economy, reduce its reliance on foreign oil and improve air quality, helping ensure "a reliable, secure and dependable energy future," he said.

"Just a few years ago I doubt that many Americans, when they saw an ear of corn or a soybean, saw the potential of that to become a fuel that can power automobiles," Johnson said during a news conference at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis.

One of the first companies to join in the EPA effort is General Motors Corp., which has been working to expand the use of E85 ethanol -- a combination of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol.

Alan Weverstad, executive director of GM's environment and energy public policy center, said the world's largest automaker has committed to doubling production of flexible fuel vehicles -- those that use either gasoline or E85 -- to four million vehicles by 2010.

Weverstad said GM is also working with fuel providers and fuel retailers in several states to open up to 175 new E85 ethanol fueling sites nationwide by the end of the year. Currently, the country has more than 1,000 such fueling sites.

"We know this country will not enjoy the full benefits of ethanol until there are more stations selling it," Weverstad said during the news conference.

The companies being enlisted in the new Grow & Go program are involved with the EPA-sponsored SmartWay Transport Partnership, which aims for the freight industry to voluntarily adjust their shipping operations to reduce emissions.

Currently, 481 companies are part of the SmartWay Transport initiative.

Among them are H-E-B Grocery Co. and Meijer Inc., which have expanded the sale of renewable fuels at their retail pumps, and Coca-Cola Enterprises, which is expanding the use of ethanol and biodiesel in its light and heavy duty delivery truck fleets.

Although the Grow & Go program is voluntary, Johnson said he doesn't think a mandatory program with the same aims is needed because companies have a strong self-interest to switch over to renewable fuels.

"We think they'll want to do this for a variety of reasons -- economic, energy security and environmental. There are many advantages to renewable fuels," he said.

David Friedman, research director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' clean vehicles program, questions the potential success of a voluntary program. Still, he said he's heartened that the EPA is seriously looking at issues raised by renewable fuels and trying to promote them.

"Getting the EPA involved is vital, but at the end of the day if we're serious about our oil addiction we need to require a move away from oil and we need to require higher fuel economy," Friedman said. "Education and voluntary programs are an important part of getting there, but they're not going to solve the problem."

During the news conference, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said the nation's corn-based ethanol production currently can't meet the nation's demand. But he predicted that coming breakthroughs in cellulosic ethanol production -- making ethanol from wood chips, corn stalks, alfalfa and other biomass types -- will transform the renewable fuel industry.

"This is an exciting time for renewable energy," he said. "People are realizing the benefits and the market is booming."

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