WASHINGTON, DC – Growth Energy, the coalition of U.S. ethanol supporters, issued the following statement in response to a Washington Times Letter to the Editor that proposes eliminating public policy that supports existing renewable fuels, such as low-carbon, domestic ethanol.
“Ethanol is the only widely-available and commercially-viable alternative we have to gasoline refined from oil. Ethanol creates U.S. jobs, cleans the air, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil by nearly 13 billion gallons a year,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “Science proves that grain ethanol is a low-carbon fuel that produces 59 percent fewer green house gas emissions than gasoline and eliminating policies that encourage the production of renewable fuels would be a dangerous mistake that would result in our continued reliance on both foreign oil and foreign renewable fuels.”
“U.S. renewable fuels is still an emerging industry and we need to invest in the infrastructure and policy measures to level the playing field against Big Oil who owns the infrastructure of delivery lock stock and barrel. If we’re going to put Americans back to work and strengthen our national security, we must make it a priority to promote the construction of ethanol fueling infrastructure, through smart public policy and wise regulation, in order to give consumers a choice at the pump.
“Lastly, energy consumption in ethanol plants has been on a steady decline over the last few years. Every day, ethanol producers are developing technological improvements to increase efficiency, reduce water use, and boost the amount of energy derived from corn kernels or from cellulosic biomass,” Buis added.
# # #
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.