INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Today, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis and Co-Chairman Gen. Wesley Clark joined Indianapolis Colts tight-end Dallas Clark and local ethanol supporters at a presentation on ethanol at the Indiana Ethanol Forum. The forum focused on the economic impact and importance of ethanol to the state and the country. At the event, Buis and Clark highlighted the benefits of ethanol and emphasized the need for federal lawmakers to include support for domestic ethanol in any Congressional debate over clean energy and job creation.
“During this Independence Day recess, we are urging Congress to bring an energy bill to the floor that promotes America’s fuel,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, the coalition of domestic ethanol supporters. “In these tight economic times when we are sending billions of dollars overseas to fund the economies of foreign countries, we need legislation that will keep that money right here in America. Domestic ethanol is the only commercially viable, renewable fuel that creates American jobs while cleaning our air and strengthening our economy and national security. Now, more than ever, ethanol must be at the heart of this debate in Congress.”
“What we’re seeing in places like Indiana and elsewhere around the country is that people want to have a choice at the pump – and they want domestic ethanol to be one of those choices,” said Clark. “The more domestic ethanol we produce, the less foreign oil we need. And every gallon of domestic ethanol creates U.S. jobs, cleans the air and strengthens our national security. Today we’re asking Congress to hear the people of Indiana and include provisions to level the playing field for domestic ethanol in the July energy debate.”
Earlier this month, Congressional leaders indicated they would take up legislation for energy and “green jobs” when they returned from the Fourth of July work period. Growth Energy believes there are several specific measures that should be included in the legislation to build out the infrastructure that opens the fuels market, such as:
• Mandates that all automobiles sold in the U.S. be Flex Fuel Vehicles; and
• Federal support for the installation of “blender pumps” so consumers – and not Big Oil – have the right to choose their fuel.
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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.