WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, issued the following statement in response to a story aired Monday night on Minneapolis TV station KSTP that examined Minnesota’s effort to increase the amount of domestic, renewable, clean-burning ethanol blended into gasoline.
“We have a great story to tell in ethanol. Expanding the production and consumption of domestic ethanol creates jobs, cleans the air and strengthens America’s national security. Unfortunately, anyone who only caught the first part of last night’s segment on KSTP-TV only heard one side of the story,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.
“First, the report overlooks the science supporting the use of E15. Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver, seeking an increase in the blend from E10 to E15, included more supporting science by independent, government and academic bodies than any of the previous 11 waivers approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Second, non-road small engines represent a very small percentage of gasoline powered vehicles. Proper labeling and a sound public education campaign will help consumers make the right choice of fuel for their particular engine. Further, as validated by both KIA Automakers and Minnesota State University-Mankato Prof. Bruce Jones, E15 runs in automobile engines without any problem.
“The numbers don’t lie. With the current 10 percent ethanol blend in our fuel today, the U.S. has reduced our dependence on foreign oil by billions of gallons each year. If EPA approves Growth Energy’s Green Jobs Waiver to increase the blend level to E15, we will be able to avoid the importation of another seven billion gallons of gasoline – strengthening our national security and cleaning our skies, all while creating jobs.”
# # #
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.