Washington, DC – Yesterday marked the 30th day of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public comment period on Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver asking the EPA to allow gasoline blended with as much as 15 percent ethanol (E15). The EPA recently announced it was extending the comment period for an additional 60 days. The public comment period will now close on July 20.
In the first 30 days of the comment period, Growth Energy is aware of more than 11,000 Americans who have already spoken in favor of replacing foreign oil with homegrown ethanol, creating new green-collar jobs and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Support for higher blends of ethanol spans governors, Members of Congress, state and local elected officials and groups across the country. The following is a sample of quotes from those who have already voiced their approval of America’s best renewable fuel:
“The people of Iowa know that increasing the amount of ethanol that can be blended into our nation’s fuel supply will create green jobs, environmental benefit and help eliminate our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.“
Governor Chet Culver (D-IA)
“This is a practical move in the right direction. E15 will create thousands of new jobs and increase our tax base while decreasing our dependence for foreign oil. If we are serious about energy independence, EPA needs to act quickly and rule E15 viable for use.”
Governor Michael Rounds (R-SD)
“Allowing use of ethanol blends up to E-15 will help us preserve and enhance infrastructure that is critical to the timely development of cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels, have significant environmental benefits, foster our nation’s energy independence, create thousands of jobs, and stimulate economic development in communities across the nation. According to one estimate, allowing blending up to E-15 has the potential to create at least 135,000 jobs.”
Representatives Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD-At Large), John Shimkus (R-IL-19), Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Phil Hare (D-IL-17), Earl Pomeroy (D-ND-At Large), Tim Johnson (R-IL-15), Betsy Markey (D-CO-04), Leonard Boswell (D-IA-03), Bruce Braley (D-IA-01), William Delahunt (D-MA-10), Joe Donnelly (D-IN-02), Bill Foster (D-IL-14), Lee Terry (R-NE-02), Donald Manzullo (R-IL-16), Jerry Moran (R-KS-01), Aaron Schock (R-IL-18), Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01), Peter Visclosky (D-IN-01), Jerry Costello (D-IL-12), Debbie Halvorson (D-IL-11), Dan Burton (R-IN-05), Dennis Moore (D-KS-03), Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), Steve King (R-IA-05), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO-08), Todd Tiahrt (R-KS-04), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) and Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09)
“…the Indiana House of Representatives supports education of the use of higher blends of ethanol in non-flex fuel vehicles given numerous studies and data that support the use of higher blends in non-flex fuel vehicles and, as such, encourages the United States Environmental Protection Agency to authorize the use of higher blends of ethanol in non-flex fuel vehicles.”
Indiana House of Representatives, House Resolution 77
“Kansas, as well as the entire country, continues to strive for energy independence, and increasing the use of ethanol and other biofuels is one more approach toward self-sufficiency…”
Kansas Legislature, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1610
“It is critical that the federal government revisit the existing limit on ethanol blending—today capped at 10 percent of each gallon of gasoline—and allow gasoline blenders and refiners to take full advantage of the benefits of ethanol blending …”
Mark Maslyn, Public Policy Executive Director, American Farm Bureau Federation
“Increasing the blend rate will generate additional economic activity, help bolster the ethanol industry in a difficult economic period, reduce America’s dependence on oil, lessen greenhouse gas emissions, and send important signals to technology companies, such as Syngenta, to continue and expand investment in research and development not only in first generation, but second and third generation biofuels innovations for the benefit of America’s farmers, ethanol producers, and consumers.”
David Morgan, President, Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
“As a supporter of the ethanol industry, I intentionally go to gas stations with ethanol-blended fuels. Not only because of the positive impacts the plants have had on my career, but also because I believe the fuels are cleaner burning and I would much rather support local farmers than Middle East oil.”
Kevin Hines, Regional Manager, U.S. Water Services
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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.