Washington – Today the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would extend the comment period by 60 days on Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver Application. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis released the following statement:
“We’re pleased the EPA is allowing additional time for more Americans who are in favor of creating new green-collar jobs, increased energy independence, and decreased GHG emissions to have their voice heard. We are aware of over 10,000 Americans who have already voiced their support for a higher blend of ethanol in our fuel supply and this extension makes it possible for thousands more to participate. We think it’s especially important that the American farmer, who is in the fields from sunrise to sunset this time of year, is given more time to get involved. Moving to an ethanol blend of 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline (E15) will create more than 136,000 green-collar jobs, inject $24.4 billion into the U.S. economy, displace seven billion gallons of imported gasoline per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million tons per year – the equivalent of removing 3.5 million vehicles from our roads. It would also ensure a market for the emerging cellulosic ethanol industry.”
“Americans should feel confident in using E15 in their vehicles. Increasing the blend just five percent is supported by numerous studies. In fact, there has been more testing of E15 than there has been of any other fuel additive in the history of the EPA waiver process. In the past two years, multiple comprehensive studies involving over 100 vehicles, 85 vehicle and engine types, and 33 fuel dispensing units have been completed to evaluate the effects of ethanol-gasoline blends above 10 percent ethanol, from E15 to E85. These studies include a year-long drivability test and over 5,500 hours of materials compatibility testing from research institutions such as the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the state of Minnesota.”
“I urge Americans to use the additional time allowed by the EPA to voice their support for updating the nearly 30-year-old government rule arbitrarily limiting the use of clean, green ethanol. Let’s replace more foreign oil with homegrown ethanol, the only viable and available fuel substitute for gasoline.”
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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy is a group committed to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. Growth Energy members recognize America needs a new ethanol approach. Through smart policy reform and a proactive grassroots campaign, Growth Energy promotes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the use of ethanol in gasoline, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and creating American jobs at home. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.