Washington – Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, released the following statement in response to Secretary of Energy Chu’s remarks on increasing ethanol blends at the Reuters Global Energy Summit yesterday.
“I commend Secretary Chu for recognizing the benefits of increasing the blend of ethanol in our fuel supply. It is good for America’s national security, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates green-collar jobs in the United States, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60 percent. This is why Growth Energy filed the Green Jobs Waiver to lift the arbitrary cap from 10 to 15 percent on the use of clean, homegrown ethanol. Already, more than 300 million gallons of planned cellulosic ethanol production capacity is waiting to come online, but is stalled because petroleum has been given 90 percent of the market. If we don’t increase the blend of ethanol in our gas soon, many of these projects will be cancelled or postponed. Lifting the cap will reinvigorate these efforts, create 136,000 new, green collar jobs, reduce foreign oil consumption by as much as seven billion gallons, strengthen national security, and improve our environment.
“Again, I commend Secretary Chu for his support for raising the arbitrary 10 percent cap on ethanol.”
###
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.