WASHINGTON, DC – A key Congressional committee heard testimony today that helped cement ethanol’s role as the leading biofuel to reducing our nation’s dependence on carbon-heavy fossil fuels, like imported oil. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said he was looking forward to continuing the debate on ethanol’s contribution to the nation as a source of cleaner, domestically-produced transportation fuel.
“We heard it loud and clear from members of Congress today. Ethanol has a major role to play in breaking our nation’s dependence on imported oil. Ethanol can supply the clean, green transportation fuel we need today and tomorrow. But there are two things that must happen. We must raise the blend wall to E15, as we have asked EPA in Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver. And Congress must repeal the ‘international indirect land use change’ scheme that erects new obstacles to biofuels production. Repealing ILUC protects the sovereignty of American farmers to make planting decisions on their own, and not based on what happens in Brazil or another country. We have a mountain of grain in the United States, which record corn yields. There is no reason why this surplus corn can’t be turned into ethanol,” Buis said.
At issue was a hearing on the future of next-generation biofuels before the House Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research. Witnesses included Dallas Tonsager, USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development, who noted Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s support for E15, and said, “Those of us who want to see further progress of the ethanol industry hope that (E15) happens.”
Also testifying was William J. Roe, CEO and President of Coskata Inc., of Warrenville, Ill., a developer of next-generation biofuels and a member of Growth Energy.
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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.