WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy embraced the focus of job creation in President Obama’s State of the Union address yesterday, and today welcomed the words of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, who spoke about the importance of American energy independence during an appearance at the Washington, DC Auto Show just a few yards from where Growth Energy and engine technology leader Ricardo Inc. were displaying a project to demonstrate an ethanol-optimized engine.
“Ethanol is an advanced technology fuel that has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs, which as we heard in last night’s State of the Union address is a top priority of this Administration. And Secretary Chu’s speech today highlighted the importance of investing in renewable energy sources – like ethanol as a transportation fuel – as a means of both creating American jobs and strengthening America’s energy and national security,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.
Growth Energy’s “Green Jobs Waiver,” which seeks an increase in the allowable blend of ethanol with gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent, is before the Environmental Protection Agency. In December, the EPA indicated that engine testing so far showed that 2001-and later vehicles could be eligible for E15. The agency said in its letter to Growth Energy that if the testing continued to hold that finding, the agency was prepared to approve the E15 Green Jobs Waiver by mid-year. A national study by the Windmill Group, out of North Dakota, estimated that moving to E15 would create 136,000 jobs in the United States.
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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.